Former Roethlisberger Teammate Calls For Big Ben To Ride The Pine
If you're a loyal Steelers fan loosely holding on to a belief in 18-year franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, it's time to let go.
Should the advice from a longtime Giants-Eli faithful not be persuasive enough, take it from Roethlisberger's former Steelers teammate, Ryan Clark. The retired safety and morning pundit on ESPN's Get Up advised the Pittsburgh fan base to finally put a fork in Roethlisberger's role as the starter.
Clark paid his respects to the two-time Super Bowl winner and six-time Pro Bowler before circling back to his message.
"I owe my Super Bowl ring to Ben Roethlisberger. With all that being said, time is up. It's time to move on," Clark said. "Big Ben is hurting this team now. … It's time for Big Ben to take a seat."
This year, Ben's arm hasn't fortified the Steelers' outlook for a deep run in the playoffs, seen best in their 5-5-1 record — the tie coming against the Detroit Lions ... probably equal to a loss in value.
(The vet did sit out the dreadful showing against Detroit due to COVID protocols.)
Roethlisberger's production is certainly mediocre with his 17th-best total for passing yards (2,522), and his 15 touchdowns through 11 games warrant blame for the staggering Steelers offense.
Diontae Johnson, James Washington and Chase Claypool (out for Week 13) are of the receiving talent to lead an offense worth garnering more than 5.0 yards per play, their current total and among the League's worst — potentially due to the 39-year-old quarterback's emptied tank.
Though the team has yet to eclipse 27 points in a contest all season, Pittsburgh also has a claim to ride the season out with Roethlisberger over reserves Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins.
Head coach Mike Tomlin seems willing to stick with Ben, and the Steelers are always worth a leer when it comes to a dark horse contender.
Follow along on Twitter: @AlejandroAveela