One of the biggest questions heading into the 2021 season is whether Ben Roethlisberger can still play football at a high level. Ben is 39 years old and many feel he is well past his prime. I believe he is not past his prime. I believe Ben just didn't have a running game for many years with the Steelers and he had to put the whole offense on his back in order to make things happen. Wait until everyone sees Najee Harris walk into Pittsburgh as Ben Roethlisberger's new best friend. Harris will open the field even more for Ben Roethlisberger and also take away a bigger workload for Ben going forward.
The key with Ben Roethlisberger going into the 2021 season is to keep him healthy. Right now the Steelers have Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins, and Josh Dobbs as the potential backups for Ben Roethlisberger. We have seen Rudolph's potential as being a big-arm quarterback who struggles in the pocket. Dwayne Haskin's potential is still there, but he looked atrocious during his time in Washington and Josh Dobbs is decent on the football field, but he will not lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl. The quarterback who gives the Steelers the best chance to win is Ben Roethlisberger. End of story.
ESPN's Marcus Spears recently said "Ben Roethlisberger can still play quarterback at a high enough level to put Pittsburgh in a great situation. He cannot do it if you're asking him to throw it 50-60 times a game. Ben Roethlisberger needs a run game in Pittsburgh."
Spears is right all Ben needs is a running game going forward. Especially to keep the wear and tear off of him. Ben is not getting any younger so taking away some throws from him throughout the season while depending on Najee Harris running the football is a great way to help keep him healthy.
In 2020 that was the biggest thing with Ben Roethlisberger was not having a running game so he had to throw the football 50 times a game. Even if you're a younger quarterback that will wear on you throwing the football that many times. So in the long run I believe the Steelers drafting Najee Harris could help preserve Ben Roethlisberger for at least another two seasons if his offensive line can protect him going forward.