Steelers: Bill Cowher speaks out on Ben Roethlisberger and potential rebuild

Rebuild? What rebuild? Bill Cowher thinks the Steelers have something left to give.

The former Steelers head coach knows a thing or two about the rise and fall of perennial Super Bowl contenders. Cowher’s Steelers won it all in 2006 in what would be Jerome Bettis’ final year, and Ben Roethlisberger’s first Super Bowl. Just one year later, after a Steelers Super Bowl hangover, Cowher retired, stating fatigue and health reasons.

Pittsburgh would not rebuild around Roethlisberger after Cowher left the franchise, instead retooling with one of the best defenses in the NFL. They made the right hire (and then some) in Mike Tomlin, won another Super Bowl in 2008 and have been a regular playoff team ever since. That makes the looming decision to force Roethlisberger out and perhaps truly rebuild in every since of the word even tougher. How do you know it’s the right time?

Cowher isn’t ready, and perhaps the Steelers aren’t either

“I hate to use the word ‘rebuild’ because there is a winning culture there,” Cowher told Mark Madden on 105.9 the X in Pittsburgh. “There are a lot of good young players on the defensive side of the ball. Good young receivers.”

Cowher is right in that regard. The defensive core, starting with TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, should be Pro Bowl-caliber for years to come.

“A lot of decisions have to be made, certainly, with the offensive line retooling there,” Cowher continued, per the Pittsburgh Tribune and 105.9 the X. “But there is a winning culture. Stability with coaches and front office. Those things matter. You may have a year where it doesn’t end the way you want. But I don’t think it is a total rebuild at all.”

The biggest hurdle, of course, is Roethlisberger’s $41 million cap hit. Big Ben has stated his desire to return to the franchise for one more season, and both sides agree that would have to come at a smaller salary figure.

Assuming some of that money can be deferred, the Steelers can build a formidable roster around Roethlisberger for his final year. However, they can only put off that eventual rebuild for so long.