Jan 24, 2017 6 min read

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Ben Roethlisberger got everyone in a panic today when he mentioned on his weekly call in to KDKA-FM that he would talk to his family and spend some time thinking about coming back for the 2017 season.

But, as head coach Mike Tomlin said today when questioned about that comment, it’s nothing new. He’s talked like that in the past.

A teammate I spoke to off the record today said the same thing.

After a long season in which you put your heart and soul into everything you do, it’s only natural to contemplate how much longer you can continue to play. Roethlisberger, after all, will be 35 next season.

It’s no different than James Harrison, at 38, saying last offseason that he wanted to see how his body held up to offseason training before he committed to playing in 2016.

Now, after making it through this season as a regular, Harrison has no doubts about returning.

You do, however, once you reach a certain age have to at least think about those things.

Roethlisberger isn’t going to retire. He’s also unlikely to retire after next season.

After that, who knows?

I already felt the Steelers would draft a quarterback at some point this year – if the opportunity presented itself and that was where the value was at – and still do.

But this isn’t necessarily a good year for quarterbacks. And no, I don’t see them taking one in the first round at this point.

@ The NFL Network reported that Antonio Brown was “pouting” after the Steelers scored their first touchdown on Sunday against the Patriots.

The report went on to say Brown was the last player off the field following DeAngelo Williams’ touchdown and that Roethlisberger went over to talk to him.

“Pouting” is a broad term and can mean a lot of different things.

But it’s use in this fashion is reckless in my opinion. The reporter in question, to my knowledge, was in the press box when this supposed “pouting” took place.

And the press box, which I also was in, was high above the field at Gillette Stadium.

But a GIF of the play, shows Brown walking toward where Williams had just crossed the goal line with his hands raised, signalling a touchdown had been scored.

If that qualifies as pouting, the entire Steelers sideline was pouting, as well.

@ Some have suggested the Steelers trade Brown. That’s not happening.

First, they are a better team with him on the field.

Second, if you want to see Roethlisberger retire, that’s probably a good way to make it happen, taking away his best receiving option.

Third, you’re not going to get anything close to a fair return. And no, a first-round draft pick – which you’re unlikely to get – isn’t a fair return for one of the best players in the game.

Do you really want to go into next season with the same receiving group you had this year – minus Brown – and hoping that Martavis Bryant can get back onto the field and Ladarius Green can stay healthy?

@ Tomlin would not commit today to bringing back his coaching staff intact.

That’s probably because some of the members of his staff are getting up in age and you never know how long some of those guys might want to stick around.

But no, I don’t see the Steelers moving on from Todd Haley or Keith Butler as their offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively.

@ On the subject of Bryant and Green, Tomlin said he wasn’t necessarily counting on either moving forward.

In Bryant’s case, it’s because he still has to be reinstated by the league and then has to show that he can stay clean.

In the case of Green, Tomlin said the medical staff will help make that determination.

That’s why it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Steelers try to beef up their offense even a little bit more in this year’s draft.

Edge rusher is still the No. 1 need, though Tomlin said he’d like to have James Harrison back. But Harrison also will be 39 next season.

Beyond that, another receiving threat, a running back to replace DeAngelo Williams and a quarterback later in the draft are apparent needs.

@ Players say all kind of things in the aftermath of a devastating loss.

They talk about retirement. They talk about game plans. They talk about preparation.

Le’Veon Bell said two different things about his knee.

First he said the team knew he was dealing with some groin soreness. Then he said he didn’t tell anyone about it.

Tomlin said Tuesday the Steelers knew Bell was dealing with some soreness, but had been doing so the past couple of weeks. They had been giving him Wednesdays off because of that.

He had a personal issue to take care of Thursday but did not miss practice because of the injury. And he looked fine on Friday and in warmups.

The injury took place against the Patriots, not before the game. And not against Kansas City, when he rushed for a team playoff-record 170 yards.

@ Speaking of guys grasping at straws, I saw the Steelers practicing against the hurry-up and quick snaps last week in practice. So if there were issues with the team not being ready for the Patriots to do those kind of things, it’s more on the players than it is the coaches.

When the coaching staff tells you a team runs its offense that way and then preps you to get you ready for that and it still catches you off guard or unawares, don’t point the finger outward.

I might also add that the Patriots scored a field goal on their opening drive, not a touchdown. And it was because of missed tackles on defense that created a chunk play, not because the Patriots went hurry up.