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The Pittsburgh Steelers are in limbo with their quarterback situation. While contract negotiations between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger would take place this week, as it stands, there are a lot of unknowns.
Is Roethlisberger coming back this coming season has been a hot topic, and who better than outspoken Ike Taylor to offer his perspective?
Taylor, who spent 11 seasons with the Steelers and 10 with Big Ben, recently spoke with TMZ about what we’ve all noticed over the past few seasons – Roethlisberger is slowing down, which says a lot because he’s never been quick.
The former cornerback says AFC North youth – Joe Burrow, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson – are the reason the 38-year-old should quit.
“You go back a year or two or three,” Taylor said of Roethlisberger’s return. “The reason I think you’re putting them back is because you’ve seen the progress of Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow – before he got injured – and Baker Mayfield.
“So we’re talking about three young quarterbacks in a division. Who will you choose last? “
Taylor has nothing but respect for Roethlisberger and the Hall of Fame career he produced in Pittsburgh. But he knows from experience when it’s time to call it a career.
“There’s nothing wrong with stopping this thing,” Taylor said. “It’s hard for a lot of people to stop it. It’s hard.”
If Ben is coming back to play this season, Taylor has a few tips: work to get in shape in the offseason and gain mobility.
“I think if Seven is to come back, Seven has to follow this Tom Brady diet,” Taylor said. “He really needs to improve during the offseason and regain some of his mobility.”
“Seven” could never compare physically to Brady, 43, but it’s wise for Roethlisberger to think outside the box.
“In the NFL, unless you have an offensive line like Tom Brady’s, you can’t be a pocket quarterback. They are disappearing right now.
The problem is, the Pittsburgh offensive line isn’t like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Far from there. It’s one of the many areas the team needs to improve on this offseason if they have any playoff aspirations.
“Seven needs to change,” Taylor continued. “Big Ben has to tell the offensive coordinator, ‘We have to throw the ball.’ Seven won the Super Bowls with good defense and a good running game. Seven has to go and say to Matt Canada, ‘Hey brother, we have to set up a racing game.’ “
I’m pretty sure Canada doesn’t need Big Ben to tell them Pittsburgh has to step up and stick with the race. Fixing the racing game is one of the reasons Canada was promoted in the first place.
As to whether Roethlisberger should retire – I’d rather see the Steelers better prepared for Roethlisberger’s departure than where they are now with Mason Rudolph. As long as Big Ben can still put the numbers, which was obvious last season, he should keep playing. But its days are certainly numbered and Pittsburgh must line up its ducks for this inevitable day.
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