Roethlisberger isn’t focused on contract
years out, if it doesn’t make sense for the team, I’m not going to sit here and worry about it.”
Roethlisberger spoke with ESPN on Sunday before his annual football camp at the Steelers’ South Side headquarters.The cool part of the daywas that each of the 250 kids who were there caught a pass from Roethlisberger, a memory that will last a lifetime. I know from personal experience. More than half a century ago, I caught a pass from Steelers quarterback Bill Nelsen at a banquet after winning a local Punt, Pass and Kick competition. I still remember it.
Roethlisberger spoke to the campers about the importance of a team. Earlier, he talked with ESPN about how that applies to him.
“It’s important to understand, as quarterback of this team, sometimes you almost have to leave a little bit of money behind for other guys. Iknow in two years, [Maurkice] Pouncey, [Marcus] Gilbert, there are other very important guys up that I hope get taken care of because if they aren’t here, I’m not here. That’s the way it is. Theyare that good.”
That must be good news for the Steelers, who are trying to do a long-term deal with Le’Veon Bell, who doesn’t appear willing to take anything less than what he wants. It’s also good news for Pouncey and Gilbert. It’s no wonder the offensive linemen love Roethlisberger. They know he appreciates what they do. He considers them his best friends on the team. He is close to Pouncey.
“Pounce and I joke about who’s going to play longer,” Roethlisberger said last season. “I’ve told him when he’s gone, I’m gone. I’m serious. If we decide we want to play five more years and he’s out after three, I’m out, too. I’ve been with him a long time. I’mnot breaking in another center. I wouldn’t want to play with anyone else.” The feeling is mutual. “He’s my brother,” Pouncey said of Roethlisberger. “When he walks away from football, I’m walking away, too.”
Idon’t see Roethlisberger or Pouncey, who turns 29 on July24 and is getting ready for his ninth NFL season, retiring soon.
Bruce Arians told the Pittsburgh-Post-Gazette’s Joe Starkey earlier this month tha the has never seen Roethlisberger in better shape. “He looks fantastic. He’s really excited about everything with Randy [Fichtner] and the offense and the weapons he’s got. I mean, every year we usually play golf at this time, and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him more excited about getting ready to go.”
Roethlisberger has said he felt better physically after last season than after any season. He’s also in a good place mentally now that Fichtner, his longtime quarterbacks coach, has replaced Todd Haley as Steelers offensive coordinator. Haley, who moved onto the Cleveland Browns, indirectly spoke volumes overthe weekend about his deteriorating relationship with Roethlisberger when he said of Browns quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor, Drew Stanton and Baker Mayfield, “In my career, this is one of the best, if not the best, quarterback rooms in general that I’ve had.” Think about the absurdity of that for a second.
Theone thing that could end Roethlisberger’s career prematurely— other than Pouncey’s surprise retirement, of course — is an injury.He has been fortunate tha the has avoided a major injury, never missing more than four games in any season.But a concussion could make him rethink his future. Hehas talked about that often, bringing up a powerful, telling conversation he had with his wife, Ashley, about their three young children.
“Honey, I want to play long enough for the kids to rememberme playing.”
“Iknow, dear, but you don’t wantto play so long that you don’t remember the kids.”
Reports out of New England are that Tom Brady’s wife, Gisele, wants him to retire sooner rather than later because of the injury risk. I could see Mrs. Roethlisberger pushing for the same thing with her husband if he’s concussed.
Untilthen, I’m going to enjoy watching Roethlisberger play. I’m not ready for the Mason Rudolph era just yet.