Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben showcasing hypocrisy at its finest
By Randy Gurzi
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had no problem considering what was right for him in 2017, but the team looking out for themselves in 2018 has him miffed.
It was just one season ago when the Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly felt real uneasy about their quarterback situation. That was because their starter, Ben Roethlisberger, was contemplating retirement.
He ended up staying, but the belief was the consideration was serious. There was also a feeling that his return was tied into the performance of the offensive line.
This is absolutely understandable as Big Ben has taken a ton of shots in his career, and has has had a litany of nagging injuries because of it. Now in his mid-30s, Roethlisberger is at the right age to consider life after football, and no one should fault him for that.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
However, the Steelers are not just a football team, but a business as well. They also have to consider their future and in the past two NFL Drafts, they’ve done just that. Last year, they spent a fourth-round pick on Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs and in this past month’s draft they took Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph in the third.
For some reason, this has Big Ben all worked up. He’s gone on the radio and basically called his team out for their drafting the past two years. He seems to think the Dobbs pick was a mistake, and now questions the logic behind Rudolph being chosen in 2018.
"“I was surprised when they took a quarterback because I thought that maybe in the third round, you know you can get some really good football players that can help this team now,” Roethlisberger said according to Jamie Fowler of ESPN. “Nothing against Mason; I think he’s a great football player. I don’t know him personally, but I’m sure he’s a great kid. I just don’t know how backing up or being a third [string] — well, who knows where he’s going to fall on the depth chart — helps us win now.”"
There lies the big hypocrisy of Roethlisberger. He wants the Steelers to focus 100 percent on winning now. He doesn’t care if they’re set up for the future, but just about today.
Now, is that wrong? No, not really. He’s a quarterback and it’s his job to win. As for the Steelers, they’re an NFL franchise and they have a job as well. They want Roethlisberger there, but they also know he has life after football on the mind — and quickly approaching.
Next: Prospects Steelers should have drafted
Big Ben cannot openly consider retirement and doing what’s best for him and then bash the team for looking out for their future. It just doesn’t work that way.