There has been much speculation in regards to Ben Roethlisberger throughout the 2021 offseason so far. Ben decided to come back to the Steelers on a one-year deal in 2021 after restructuring his contract to free up some money so the Steelers could keep players like JuJu and Cam Sutton. Now the question will be is this his last season? JuJu Smith-Schuster thinks this will be his last.
JuJu on Ben Roethlisberger: “Being able to play with Ben again for one more year. I believe right now on paper it is his last one. I think it is,” Smith-Schuster, who is known for appearing on TikTok, Twitch and just helped Charmin unveil its new AI digital doppelganger BRB Bot, tells InsideHook. “He’s done so much for me over the past four years. I had an opportunity to go to two different teams with two young quarterbacks who have tremendous careers ahead of them. But as far as Ben, this year is special because it’ll be his last. He had a tremendous career for 15-plus years and it would be great to go out with a W.”
Smith-Schuster says Ben Roethlisberger told him he has 17 games left to play with him during the regular season: “In my time playing football, I’ve had some good quarterbacks over the years, but I think Ben is by far the best one,” he says. “You don’t get those opportunities for very long. He was telling me I have 17 games with him during the regular season. It goes fast. So for me, it’s definitely motivation to play my heart out for him and the team. Every time I step on the field, I’ve got to play like it’s my last play because I don’t want to leave nothing on the field that I shouldn’t have.”
If this is really it for Ben Roethlisberger it has been one helluva ride in Pittsburgh. He would leave the organization playing 18 years of football and it would leave a big hole in the Steelers offense going forward. I believe Ben Roethlisberger will base his retirement on the outcome of the 2021 season and if he can stay healthy.
If Ben does go down with a season-ending injury (which I hope he doesn't) then I would think he would call it quits because he is 39 years old. If it plays out missing the Super Bowl, but the Steelers managed to be successful then I think Ben would come back for at least one more season.
His 2021 season will be the answer Ben is looking for in regards to retiring or continuing his career so this season will be a big one for Roethlisberger. JuJu Smith-Schuster would like to give him a Lombardi before riding off into the Sunset.