The Pittsburgh Steelers are still trying to find the organization's next franchise quarterback, and the position has been an issue for the team ever since Ben Roethlisberger decided to retire at the end of the 2021 season. He probably played a little bit too long, but the organization still did not have a solid succession plan for when the future Hall of Famer did decide to hang it up. Immediately after his retirement, the organization went out and signed Mitch Trubisky, while also selecting Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Both of those moves however, only set the franchise back even further.
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Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger calls for help after tight end Pat Freiermuth gets hit in his head back in 2021.
The Steelers started the 2020 season strong, as the team was 11-0, but things fell apart quickly. The team finished 12-4 and then lost to the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. The tight end on that team, Eric Ebron, has already said that part of the reason for that collapse was Roethlisberger's body deteriorating as the season went along. Regardless of that ruining the 2020 season, Roethlisberger decided to come back in 2021, despite there being some rumors that he could retire.
Ebron joined Cam Heyward on a recent episode of Not Just Football, and the two spoke about the end of Ebron's time in Pittsburgh as he only played in Pittsburgh in 2020 and 2021. He went on a mini rant about how Roethlisberger should have retired after 2020.
"Should have been his last season the year before," Ebron said. "I ain't gonna lie, his a** should have retired. I'm sorry bro, I love Ben. I grew up a fan of Ben. So I can never take shots at Ben. He was not supposed to f**king come back, Cam. He was not supposed to come back. Yes, we didn't have a quarterback. We could have drafted, and with that system, it would have been bad, I get it. But Ben, the way he ended the year, how the f**k did you think he was going to start the year?"
It has been revealed that as the 2020 season went on, Roethlisberger's knees were starting to go and his arm strength was not there anymore, but he still decided to come back for the 2021 season, which is exactly what Ebron was criticizing. He acknowledged that the organization didn't have another quarterback, but he knew Roethlisberger wouldn't be able to take them all the way.
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Former Steelers tight end Eric Ebron with Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell.
Ebron saw Roethlisberger's body give out on him throughout the 2020 season, so he didn't have much confidence in him going into 2021. Based on Ebron's comments, it seems like other players on the offense didn't have much faith.
"We knew our offense wasn't going to be much of anything," Ebron said. "It couldn't have been."
The former tight end seems to genuinely believe that the limitations at the quarterback position absolutely held the offense back, and that probably is the case. However, there weren't any better options. It is fairly concerning that the franchise is in the same exact spot heading into 2026.
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Steelers' former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the final game of his career against the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of the 2021 season.
Steelers Ben Roethlisberger Surpassed Expectations In 2021
Roethlisberger still managed to put up good numbers during the 2021 season despite being a shell of himself. He threw for over 3,700 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing over 64 percent of his passes. He led the Steelers to a record of 9-7-1, and the team snuck its way into the postseason. The Steelers weren't much of an opponent when it came to taking on the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round, but it was still a fine final season from Roethlisberger.
What do you think of Ebron's comments on Roethlisberger? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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