Steelers 'proceeding with assumption' Big Ben won't be back

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tomlin: Steelers 'proceeding with assumption' Ben Roethlisberger won't be back in 2022

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/18/22

Most NFL analysts and fans assume that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played his final NFL game on Sunday night, as his team fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC wild-card game, 42-21. While "Big Ben" hasn't officially announced his retirement yet, it appears that the Steelers are preparing for life without their longtime signal-caller.

Reporter: Is the organization proceeding with the assumption that Ben Roethilsberger won't be back in 2022?

Mike Tomlin: "We are proceeding with that assumption."
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) January 18, 2022

Furthermore, Tomlin told reporters that he was "excited" about the search for the team's next quarterback, but it will be a "challenge."

NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala tweeted that Tomlin said Tuesday "all options are on the table" as far as the next starter under center.

Asked about #Steelers QBs Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins, Mike Tomlin says, "They'll be given an opportunity to establish themselves. There's going to be competition. There always is. They'll write that story... Both guys have positioned themselves to fight that fight."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) January 18, 2022

Rudolph appeared in two games — making one start — this season, finishing 35-for-58 with 277 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, while adding 53 rushing yards on five carries. In his three-season career, Rudolph has gone 236-for-384 (61.5%) with 2,366 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions across 17 games, including 10 starts.

Haskins signed with the Steelers in January 2021 but didn't appear in any games this season. The 15th overall pick from the 2019 NFL Draft played two seasons with Washington before joining Pittsburgh.

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