Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback #7
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback #7
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Ben Roethlisberger News

Makes retirement official

Roethlisberger announced Thursday via his personal Twitter account that he has retired after 18 seasons in the NFL.

Analysis: Roethlisberger previously hinted ahead of the Steelers' Week 17 win over Cleveland -- which proved to be his last game at Heinz Field -- that he was likely retiring after the season, but he waited until after Pittsburgh's wild-card round loss to Kansas City to make the matter official. A 2004 first-round pick of Pittsburgh, the 39-year-old quarterback was the longest-tenured player in franchise history and led the Steelers to two Super Bowl championships and eight division titles. He'll retire from the NFL ranking fifth all-time in passing yards (64,088) and completions (5,440) and eighth in touchdown passes (418). Roethlisberger's departure leaves Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins and Joshua Dobbs (toe) as the quarterbacks on the roster, but expect Pittsburgh to address the position through the upcoming NFL draft and/or the trade and free-agent market ahead of the 2022 season.

Jan 27, 2022 7:14 AM EST


Throws two TDs in final game

Roethlisberger completed 29 of 44 pass attempts for 215 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 42-21 loss to Kansas City.

Analysis: Roethlisberger was unable to extend his late-season win streak to three games, bowing out to a superior Chiefs squad that will have given the veteran quarterback the last two losses of his career. The future Hall-of-Famer hinted heavily towards this being the last game of his storied career, something his depleted arm strength had already naturally revealed over the last couple of seasons. Barring a major mindset shift or an offer to return that he can't refuse, Big Ben will end his career with 64,088 career passing yards, 418 touchdown passes and two Super Bowl rings.

Jan 16, 2022 9:53 PM EST



Puts in full practice

Roethlisberger (shoulder/pectoral) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: As anticipated, neither of the two injuries that Roethlisberger has been managing for most of the season will prevent him from suiting up for Pittsburgh's wild-card matchup with the Chiefs this weekend. In what could be the final start of his career, Roethlisberger may get a boost in his pass-catching weapons. The Steelers welcomed James Washington (illness) back from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, while JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder) was designated to return from injured reserve and could have a shot at being available to play for the first time since Week 5.

Jan 13, 2022 2:17 PM EST


Logs limited practice

Roethlisberger (pectoral/right shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Roethlisberger continues to manage pectoral and shoulder issues, but there's little doubt regarding his status for Sunday's playoff game against Kansas City. With that in mind, there's a solid chance that the veteran QB will to return to a full practice session Thursday.

Jan 12, 2022 1:00 PM EST


Orchestrates game-winning drive

Roethlisberger completed 30 of 44 passes for 244 yards, a touchdown an an interception while rushing three times for minus-four yards in Sunday's 16-13 OT win over the Ravens.

Analysis: Roethlisberger had plenty of volume in Sunday's regular-season finale and topped 200 passing yards for the first time since Week 14. The 39-year-old led a game-winning drive in overtime and likely extended his career for at least one more game since the Steelers will clinch a postseason berth as long as the Raiders and Chargers don't tie Sunday night. Roethlisberger appeared in 16 of 17 games during the regular season in 2021 and completed 390 of 605 passes for 3,740 yards, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Jan 9, 2022 1:53 PM EST



Turns in full practice

Roethlisberger (pectoral/shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: As per usual, Roethlisberger was listed as a limited participant Wednesday in the Steelers' first practice of the week due to his pair of lingering injuries, but his upgrade to full activity a day later clears the way for him to play Sunday in Baltimore. Unless Pittsburgh is able to secure a spot in the postseason with a win and a Colts loss to the Jaguars, Roethlisberger could be playing in the final game of his Hall of Fame career Sunday. The quarterback already acknowledged that Monday's 26-14 win over the Browns that he was likely his last appearance at Heinz Field.

Jan 6, 2022 1:14 PM EST


Limited Wednesday

Roethlisberger (pectoral/shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice session, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Roethlisberger has dealt with pectoral and shoulder injuries for several weeks, but he was available for potentially his last career appearance at Heinz Field against the Browns on Monday. He had plenty of volume and completed 24 of 46 passes but struggled with efficiency with just 123 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Since he's been able to play through the issue across the last few weeks, it wouldn't be surprising to see him available Sunday against Baltimore.

Jan 5, 2022 1:37 PM EST


Wins home finale

Roethlisberger completed 24 of 46 passes for 123 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Monday night's 26-14 win over the Browns.

Analysis: Roethlisberger threw early and often in potentially his last career appearance at Heinz Field. In fact, his 46 passes marked his second most in a game this season, yet his 123 yards were a season low, as was his dismal average of 2.7 yards per attempt. While he also was picked off to end the first half, Roethlisberger at least found Diontae Johnson for a five-yard touchdown earlier, helping clinch an emotional victory. The Steelers legend will now turn his attention toward Week 18's matchup versus the Ravens while hoping he can somehow sneak his way into the playoffs.

Jan 3, 2022 9:13 PM EST


Upgrades to full practice activity

Roethlisberger (pectoral/shoulder) Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com Friday.

Analysis: Roethlisberger received a maintenance day Thursday to tend to his lingering pair of injuries, neither of which is considered serious enough to sideline him for the Steelers' final two regular-season contests. Rather than his absence from practice Thursday, the bigger news pertaining to Roethlisberger that day was his acknowledgement to the media that Monday's game against Cleveland could be his last appearance at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field. The 39-year-old hasn't formally announced that he plans to retire after this season, but he'll be a free agent in the spring and isn't expected to attract much interest on the open market from the Steelers or other teams with the quality of his play having been in steady decline over the past three years.

Dec 31, 2021 1:12 PM EST


Sits out Thursday's practice

Roethlisberger (pectoral/right shoulder) didn't practice Thursday, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Analysis: Roethlisberger has been managing the two issues since Week 12, but hasn't missed any games since then. With that in mind, look for the QB to end up approaching Monday night's contest against the Browns minus a Week 17 injury designation. Per Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site, Roethlisberger acknowledged that this might be his last regular-season game at Heinz Field, given that this could be the 39-year-old's final NFL campaign.

Dec 30, 2021 12:53 PM EST


Acknowledges retirement rumors

Roethlisberger said Thursday that he anticipates Monday's game against the Browns will be his last at Heinz Field, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Analysis: Though he didn't explicitly say that he's planning on ending his career after the season -- or leaving the Steelers and potentially signing with another team -- Roethlisberger's comments to the media marked his first public acknowledgement that he may be headed for retirement. Though Roethlisberger has struggled mightily in the Steelers' last two contests and is now averaging a pedestrian 6.5 yards per attempt on the season, head coach Mike Tomlin is unlikely to consider benching the 39-year-old, given his importance to the franchise along with the lack of appealing alternatives on the roster. Roethlisberger should continue to play through shoulder and pectoral injuries over the final two weeks while the Steelers look to secure a playoff spot.

Dec 30, 2021 7:49 AM EST


Struggles in road game

Roethlisberger completed 23 of 35 pass attempts for 159 yards, one touchdown and one interception against Kansas City on Sunday.

Analysis: Roethlisberger's touchdown occurred late in garbage time, too, so his game went even worse than the box score implied in the 36-10 loss. At this point in his decline Roethlisberger doesn't project for an obvious bounce back against Cleveland in Week 17, but he had a decent game at Cleveland in Week 8 (22 of 34 for 266 yards and one touchdown) and gets to face them in Pittsburgh this time around.

Dec 26, 2021 5:32 PM EST


Back to full activity Friday

Roethlisberger (pectoral/shoulder) upgraded to full participation in practice Friday and doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Analysis: Roethlisberger followed up a full practice Wednesday with a limited one Thursday, but his return to full activity Friday suggests his restrictions a day earlier were likely maintenance-related. The 39-year-old is expected to play through the pair of injuries for the Steelers' remaining three games of the regular season, but he'll be doing so in Week 16 without one of his top targets in tight end Pat Freiermuth, who has been ruled out for the game with a concussion.

Dec 24, 2021 11:52 AM EST


Logs limited session

Roethlisberger (pectoral/right shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Roethlisberger was a full participant in Wednesday's session, but given that both of his listed injuries are issues he's been managing since Week 12, his availability for Sunday's game against the Chiefs doesn't appear to be in any danger. With that in mind, there's a solid chance that the QB logs a full practice Friday and heads into the weekend minus a Week 16 injury designation.

Dec 23, 2021 12:39 PM EST


Minimal production in win

Roethlisberger completed 16 of his 25 passes for 148 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Titans. He added three rushes for no yards and a touchdown.

Analysis: Roethlisberger was content to let Pittsburgh's defense and Chris Boswell lead the team to victory, as he played the role of game manager with little production to go with it. His most productive play came late in the third quarter when he found the end zone on his second sneak attempt in a span of three plays. As for his work as a passer, Roethlisberger tallied only six completions of more than 10 yards on his way to averaging 5.9 yards per attempt. Roethlisberger had entered the game having thrown for multiple touchdowns in three of his last four games, and he'll need to do more with his arm if he hopes to lead the Steelers to another victory in Week 16 against Kansas City.

Dec 19, 2021 3:26 PM EST


Good to go against Titans

Roethlisberger (shoulder/pectoral) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Titans, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Roethlisberger raised his practice activity throughout the week, putting in a full session Friday after being limited Thursday and missing practice altogether Wednesday. Coming off his second 300-yard passing performance of the season, Roethlisberger isn't expected to be limited by his nagging injuries against the inconsistent Tennessee secondary.

Dec 17, 2021 1:17 PM EST


Puts in limited practice

Roethlisberger (pectoral/shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Analysis: Roethlisberger is receiving his typical maintenance as the Steelers prepare for a Week 15 matchup with the Titans on Sunday. Dating back to late September, Roethlisberger has frequently appeared on Pittsburgh injury reports due to the pectoral and right shoulder concerns, but his only absence this season came back in Week 10 on account of a positive COVID-19 test. Expect Roethlisberger to upgrade to full activity Friday and approach the weekend without an injury designation.

Dec 16, 2021 1:33 PM EST


Not practicing Wednesday

Roethlisberger (pectoral/shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Roethlisberger has been playing through the same injuries for much of the season, with his recent routine typically entailing a missed practice to start the week. He should be out there this Sunday against the Titans but might eventually miss a game if the Steelers fall out of playoff contention.

Dec 15, 2021 12:53 PM EST


Nearly leads improbable comeback

Roethlisberger completed 28 of 40 passes for 308 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Steelers' 36-28 loss to the Vikings on Thursday night. He also rushed once for five yards, fumbled once but recovered and threw a two-point conversion pass.

Analysis: After a first half in which the Steelers were shut out, there was reason to perhaps believe coach Mike Tomlin might make a change under center. However, Pittsburgh's head man stuck with his 18-year veteran and the decision nearly paid handsome dividends. Roethlisberger caught fire in the second half, throwing a trio of touchdowns to Najee Harris, James Washington and Pat Freiermuth, along with a two-point conversion pass to Diontae Johnson after the latter scoring toss to bring Pittsburgh within eight with over four minutes remaining. Roethlisberger nearly had another scoring connection to Freiermuth as time expired, one that would have given the Steelers a chance at a game-tying two-point conversion; however, the ball was stripped from the rookie tight end by Harrison Smith as he was coming down with the ball. Irrespective of the undesirable outcome from a team perspective, Roethlisberger's resurgent performance was a welcome sight for fantasy managers and qualified as his second 300-yard effort of the campaign. Big Ben and his teammates next chance to atone for Thursday's close loss and remain in the AFC playoff picture comes in a Week 15 battle against the Titans a week from Sunday.

Dec 9, 2021 9:30 PM EST


Puts in full practice

Roethlisberger (shoulder/pectoral) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Considering he had played through the two injuries for multiple weeks, Roethlisberger never looked to be at any real risk of sitting out Thursday's game against the Vikings, despite being listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report. According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Roethlisberger acknowledged Tuesday that his right shoulder is what is giving him the most issues at this stage of the season, but he's expected to continue playing through the concern as Pittsburgh looks to chase down a playoff spot.

Dec 7, 2021 12:53 PM EST


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