Ben Roethlisberger reportedly coming back to Steelers in 2021
By John Buhler
Ben Roethlisberger may not be ready part ways with the Pittsburgh Steelers after all.
Ben Roethlisberger has been with the Pittsburgh Steelers for 17 years and it does not seem like the 38-year-old quarterback is ready to call it a career this offseason.
According to Mike Garafolo of The NFL Network, the Steelers are optimistic Roethlisberger will return for year 18 in 2021. Pittsburgh won the AFC North in 2020, but fell at home to the division rival Cleveland Browns on Wild Card Weekend. The biggest reason Roethlisberger is likely to return is his contract, as he is slated to make $19 million for 2021, but carries a $41 million cap hit.
What is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ceiling with Ben Roethlisberger in 2021?
Pittsburgh should remain one of the seven playoff teams in the AFC next year. Because they play in a tough AFC North division with the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens, there are no guarantees the Steelers will repeat as division champions.
However, it is hard to see seven teams in the AFC definitely better than them next season. As far as how far they can go, it is all about the matchups.
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Pittsburgh will need the No. 1 seed in the AFC and some luck to get back to the Super Bowl. Keep in mind they still play in the same AFC with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. If the route to Super Bowl 56 runs through Heinz Field, then maybe Big Ben has one last shot at hoisting a third Lombardi Trophy. If not, then prepare for another likely premature playoff exit next January.
Roethlisberger’s 2021 return keeps the Steelers competitive, but not quite championship-caliber.