Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger Optimistic He'll Play in 2020 Despite Previous Report
By Mark Powell
UPDATE:
Chris Mortenson has updated his previous report, and it's good news for Steelers fans.
Clarity to calm down the masses - the @Steelers are now optimistic Ben Roethlisberger will recover from elbow surgery to reattach three tendons. Not cleared to throw yet but he is tracking better and Ben himself wants and expects to play in 2020 and beyond, per sources.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) December 23, 2019
The Steelers quarterback room has been an utter disaster in 2019, and there's no guarantee it'll improve moving forward.
Ben Roethlisberger has been out since Week 2, a game in which he injured his elbow and underwent invasive surgery, thus ending his season. At 37 years of age and with a number of serious injuries under his belt, there's no telling how much time Roethlisberger has left, despite his previous reported interest in playing well into his 40s.
Big Ben reportedly had some doubt as to whether or not he'll continue playing come 2020, as his elbow injury has taken its toll.
*sits in corner & starts to cry*
— JuJu’s Bike ⓳ (@JuJusBikeBackup) December 23, 2019
https://t.co/raR2dJfEFN
There's a good chance the Steelers' answer for such doubts by Roethlisberger isn't on the current roster, as both Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges have proven themselves incapable since Big Ben went down due to injury.
Regardless of Roethlisberger's presence on the roster, it's clear the Steelers must plan for the future, perhaps in this draft class or via free agency.
Ben Roethlisberger says this every year around this time that he doesn’t feel like playing football again. #Steelers
— Blitzburgh ? (@SteelBlitzburgh) December 23, 2019
Roethlisberger does have a flair for the dramatic, as his comments tend to coincide with new contract demands. However, this most recent ominous report from ESPN's Chris Mortensen rings more serious, especially given Roethlisberger's injury timetable.