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Ben Roethlisberger questions quarterback selection by Steelers

By Michael Pallas

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys prior to their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies on December 28, 2017 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys prior to their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies on December 28, 2017 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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Ben Roethlisberger questioned the Steelers selection of Mason Rudolph in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, the selection might signal the end for him sooner than he thinks.

When the Steelers selected Mason Rudolph in the third round of the2018 NFL Draft, some people were surprised. Apparently, no one was more surprised than Ben Roethlisberger.

According to NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling, Big Ben went on a Pittsburgh radio show and voiced his displeasure with the pick.

"“So, I was surprised when they took a quarterback,” Roethlisberger said Friday, “because I thought that maybe in the third round, you can get some really good football players that can help this team now.”"

Roethlisberger has waffled about his future in recent years. Maybe the Steelers are trying to keep him from doing so next offseason, or maybe they see something in Rudolph. If they don’t see anything in Landry Jones or Josh Dobbs, Rudolph is the heir apparent. Roethlisberger needs to understand that he should consider his future — not in 2018, but 2019.

The draft isn’t always about the here and now, though. Teams do have to look toward the future. The Steelers signal-caller later went on to say that he feels comfortable that he can beat out anyone, but he’s forgetting one thing. His contract is up after next season, and the team can still cut him in 2019.

According to Spotrac, the Steelers will owe Roethlisberger $23.2 million in 2019, and he has a roster bonus of $5 million if he’s on the roster as of the fifth day of the league year. However, if the Steelers cut him, they will have a cap savings of $17 million.

Would the Steelers even consider cutting their franchise quarterback for the future? Possibly, and it has to be an option moving forward.

Roethlisberger thinks he has plenty of time, and he continues to take swings at the organization. They do have the ultimate hammer, though, and if they should choose to swing it, no one should be surprised when it does.

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Big Ben should consider this and maybe bite his tongue if he wants to play longer, especially if he wants to stay a Steeler.

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