Steelers firing of Randy Fichtner could force Ben Roethlisberger to retire
Ben Roethlisberger may decide to retire following the Steelers’ decision to move on from mainstay offensive coach Randy Fichtner.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger received the ultimate shock last Sunday. The veteran quarterback threw four interceptions and was left in tears on the bench following a 48-37 loss against the Cleveland Browns.
Changes were set to be made, and the biggest one so far came when the team announced offensive coordinator and long-tenured offensive coach Randy Fichtner would not be returning in 2021. He has been on the staff since 2007, and this move could be yet another reason why Ben Roethlisberger may opt for retirement.
Fichtner leaving will be weird for Roethlisberger
Big Ben looked like a shell of his former self Sunday, and the only reason the Steelers would start him in 2021 is because he is set to be a $41.25 million cap hit. If he counts that much against the cap and wants to return, he may as well play.
But letting Fichtner go is a jarring move and may cause the quarterback to reconsider whether he wants to return.
Fichtner joined the Steelers staff in 2007 as the wide receivers coach and became the quarterbacks coach in 2010. He worked alongside Roethlisberger for a decade, and now the quarterback has to consider if he wants to come back for one more season with a new coach leading the way on offense.
The money may just be too good for Roethlisberger to pass up. However, he was extremely emotional following the loss to the Browns and may have been wondering if that was his final time on the Steelers sideline.
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Few veteran players want to start over in what will be the final year of their career. The Steelers may now be doing their best to convince Roethlisberger to retire so the team can get a true reset in 2021 and save a ton of money in the process.