Steelers: Former Ben Roethlisberger teammate calls on him to retire

Is it time for Ben Roethlisberger to hang up his cleats? Ike Taylor thinks so.

The Steelers loyalty might get the best of them in 2021, as Ben Roethlisberger’s career is nearing an optimal conclusion — perhaps just not when Pittsburgh would prefer.

Big Ben looked like a shell of himself by the end of the 2020-21 season, with an embarrassing loss to the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round now on his resume. The Steelers window has closed, but if they’re determined to force it ajar, Roethlisberger will likely come back for an age-39 season. By delaying the inevitable, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin are extending their rebuild in the long run.

Ike Taylor won two Super Bowls with Roethlisberger, and even he knows it’s time

Taylor appeared on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 the Fan on Wednesday and made it crystal clear that Roethlisberger’s best days are behind him, and the time has come to call it a career.

“Seven’s done enough . . . for me it’s the mobility part,” Taylor said. “They’re gonna let Ben rock out til he wants to rock out…you know the Steelers, they’re loyal.”

Roethlisberger is a statue in the pocket at this point of his career, and the Steelers’ play-calling reflected that. The future Hall of Famer got rid of the ball faster than at any other point of his career, making the Steelers offense entirely focused on the short-passing game, and at the same time making it all too predictable.

If Roethlisberger doesn’t retire, his $41 million cap hit will force Colbert into some salary cap gymnastics to even field a competitive team. The Steelers have plenty of capable free agents they’d prefer to bring back under contract, but Roethlisberger’s deal will keep them from doing so as currently constructed.

The right, tough answer is for Roethlisberger to retire. The Steelers — nor Ike Taylor — have much to say about that matter, however.