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Ben Roethlisberger reveals he nearly left Steelers but chose loyalty over lucrative offers for a final farewell season

   

Ben Roethlisberger, the legendary quarterback who spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, recently opened up about a pivotal moment in his career. Despite the allure of lucrative offers from other teams, Roethlisberger chose loyalty, deciding to return to Pittsburgh for one final season.

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger retires at 39: Time to 'hang up my cleats' - The Press Democrat

A Career Defined by Loyalty

Roethlisberger’s tenure with the Steelers spanned 18 seasons, during which he earned two Super Bowl championships and solidified his status as one of the NFL’s all-time great quarterbacks. However, the latter years of his career were fraught with uncertainty, as the Steelers began searching for his successor. This transition was not one Roethlisberger embraced easily.

In a recent appearance on the Sports Spectrum podcast, Roethlisberger reflected on a critical decision he faced near the end of his career. “At the end of my career, I had a chance to go play somewhere else, and I chose not to,” he shared. “I chose to go back to Pittsburgh, one last year, because I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.”

While Roethlisberger did not specify the exact timeframe of this decision, it likely occurred after the 2020 season. That year, he made a remarkable comeback from a serious elbow injury that sidelined him for much of the previous season. However, the Steelers were hesitant to pay their aging quarterback a hefty salary. This hesitation opened the door for other teams to reach out to Roethlisberger, enticing him with potential new opportunities.

Ultimately, the Steelers and Roethlisberger agreed to restructure his contract before the 2021 season, allowing him to finish his career on his own terms. Reflecting on his choice, he stated, “Eighteen years with one team, it felt too special.” He expressed a strong aversion to the idea of donning another team’s colors, likening it to the dismay he felt when he thought of legendary players like Joe Montana ending their careers elsewhere.

 

Roethlisberger concluded his career with impressive statistics, appearing in 249 NFL games and starting 247 of them. He held a remarkable record of 165-81-1 with the Steelers, amassing 64,088 passing yards and 418 touchdown passes. His legacy, marked by two Super Bowl victories, remains a cornerstone of the Steelers’ history.

In an era where player movement is common, Roethlisberger’s commitment to the Steelers serves as a reminder of the importance of loyalty in sports. He managed to retire without ever donning another uniform, a testament to his dedication to the franchise and its fans.

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