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Two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger is no longer a young quarterback with a lot of years ahead of him in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers star seems to be coming to grips with the fact that he is the elder statesman with perhaps only a few more seasons left in his playing career.
Along with the arrival of rookie quarterback Mason Rudolph which likely signals the team's long-term plan, Roethlisberger knows there are limits to what he's capable of doing on the football field at this point. The veteran gunslinger recently talked about his capabilities under center at his age, via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
“It's a fine line I walk at this age, of resting and getting my body enough rest for the season and working out to prepare,” said Roethlisberger, 36, before retreating for some down time like the rest of his teammates. “My trainer will get me as prepared as I can be. But it is a fine line of what you can do at this age.”
Although Roethlisberger admits the limits to his ability on the football field at this point in his Hall-of-Fame-caliber career, there's been quite a few elite quarterbacks that have been able to hold off Father Time longer than anticipated. Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees have all played or continue to play at a high level late into their careers paving the way for quarterbacks like Roethlisberger to do the same.
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The six-time Pro Bowler will continue to let his body tell the story and dictate his limitations in the latter part of his playing days, via Fowler.
“You've got to listen to your body,” Roethlisberger said, “any aches and pains you might have, your arm being sore if you're throwing too much, just things like that.”
Fortunately for Roethlisberger, the veteran quarterback has two of the best players in the NFL helping extend his career. Superstars Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell are arguably the league's elite at their positions taking some pressure off the 36-year-old as he strives for a third Super Bowl title in Pittsburgh before walking away from the game.
