Former linebacker Ryan Shazier sees that Ben Roethlisberger may very well be playing in his final games with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Roethlisberger is currently in his 18th campaign with the Steelers and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. While there has been rampant speculation that Roethlisberger and the Steelers may part ways at the end of the season, there has not yet been any final declaration made by either side on this matter.
Shazier, who spent a notable four seasons with the Steelers before being forced to officially call it a career last year after the spinal contusion injury in 2017, believes that it may be the end of the line for Roethlisberger with Pittsburgh. In speaking to CBS Sports Radio’s “Tiki and Tierney” show, Shazier offered his stance on this quarterback dilemma.
“Sometimes the game will tell you when it's time,” Shazier said. “And I love Ben, but I think next year may be time for him to step away from the game. Ben has been known for being one of those types of quarterbacks who is really tough to bring down, extend the plays, allow his team to make big plays because of how much of an athlete he was. He knew how to change the game. And I feel he's losing a lot of that.
“When you can't play the way you want to play, it gets tough. And sometimes, the game will allow you to leave on your own terms, or the game will tell you when it's time to leave. And I think it might be getting to that time for Ben to step away.”
The two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback has so far posted an 88.9 passer rating this year, which, aside from his injury-riddled campaign in 2019, is his lowest such figure in 13 seasons. He also leads a Steelers offense that ranks 22nd in points per game with a 20.4 average.
A franchise-altering offseason may be looming for the Steelers next year.
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