If I were Ben I wouldn't come back

[Steeldrama]

My first thought when seeing the thread title was Ben wouldn’t want to go out due to injury. All the greats want to go out on top. He will undoubtedly be back.

However, I’m not sold Ben will step back in and everything will be fine.
Thursday’s offensive debacle really has me down on this team.
Lot of questions i have.
Is Rudolph’s abysmal play stunting the development of our young receivers?
Does the OL look so bad because Rudolph is clueless in the pocket?
Is Randy Finchtner just Bens puppet or is he capable of developing a quarterback and tailoring an offense to maximize his skill set like the Ravens and Greg Roman have done for MVP Lamar Jackson?
If I were in the market for a HC Roman would be on speed dial

Anyway I’ve been of the opinion a couple of studs at rb and wr would cure the ails of this offense but after Thursday I’m now quite skeptical

[El Kabong]

Frankly, I highly doubt if Ben does come back. I think this year off is gonna make him question: What's the point?

Fans, I notice, talk about whether Ben should return or not based on how good they think the team will be. I bet Ben doesn't think of it that way. For one thing, I bet he has a positive attitude and thinks any team he's on will be a contender. Also, prior to the season, Ben said he was having fun playing football again. What's the point of Ben coming back? Because it's genuinely fun for him and he genuinely wants to do it for as long as he can?

Do you think he would say: "I'm only playing nowadays to make sure my children's grandchildren are set for life, but Frankly, I'm sick of this shit?"

He's made a ton of money. He could walk away. We have no reason to think he's not enjoying himself.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Folks, step away from the cliff’s edge.

LJ does not have enough on tape yet. This is essentially his coming out party. Everyone took him as a gimmick and joke last year, and a band-aid to get to the offseason.

This year is obviously different. I am still not sold on LJ. Look at how much Mahomes has dropped off after one year. He was Zeus and could do know wrong...put down some plays on tape, and then injuries. Coincidence? What will he do in the offseason to cohnter the injuries?

Same with LJ. Wait until next year. Get some coaches with some payback mojo, and see what happens. Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ isn’t under center for the Ravens.

Wait for the chink in the armor...the shadow, coupled with a funnel to his krytonite to emerge in a game plan! It just might be us last game, or Ben 1st game next season!

[Jobu]

The league changes from year to year. Struggling in 2019 doesn’t mean you can’t be a quality team in 2020. The Steelers, despite all their issues, are still at .500 and technically in playoff contention. Ben returning healthy makes them a quality team before any other additions.
In the NFL, as long as you have a good QB and good head coach...uh, never mind...

[bradshaw2ben]

The Steelers need a QB. Everything else is gravy. Ben could win it all with this defense, JuJu, year two Diontae, James Washington, and a revolving crew of RBs with some receiving and pass pro talent. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind.

[Steel Ubaldo]

I think that Ben has around 65 million reasons to come back, including some that he would have to pay back. He'll be back.

Exactly. Ben has never been one to leave any money on the table. He sure as shit is going to reach in his pocket and pay any money back. He’s playing next year and the year after. Book it.

[El Kabong]

Folks, step away from the cliff’s edge.

LJ does not have enough on tape yet. This is essentially his coming out party. Everyone took him as a gimmick and joke last year, and a band-aid to get to the offseason.

This year is obviously different. I am still not sold on LJ. Look at how much Mahomes has dropped off after one year. He was Zeus and could do know wrong...put down some plays on tape, and then injuries. Coincidence? What will he do in the offseason to cohnter the injuries?

Same with LJ. Wait until next year. Get some coaches with some payback mojo, and see what happens. Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ isn’t under center for the Ravens.

Wait for the chink in the armor...the shadow, coupled with a funnel to his krytonite to emerge in a game plan! It just might be us last game, or Ben 1st game next season!

It's almost inevitable that in the playoffs, the Ravens will run into a D that can shut down LJ's running, and he'll need to be able to put the team on his back and pass his way to win. It's almost inevitable that at some point in the playoffs, the other team will be ahead on the scoreboard, there won't be time to run, and LJ will have to win by passing. Can he do it? Remains to be seen.

[StillerInCT]

I think we are needing 3 skill position players on offense WR1, RB1, TE1 in addition to Ben coming back to reaching just an average offense.

Let me guess, you never saw the 26 years of QB futility before Ben R? Ben can come back and give us 2-3 more years if need be, you have to be on board for that. Look at the quagmire of the current QB position outside the top 5 guys today.

What do we do with Rudolph then? I think this season effectively zapped any possible trade value he has.

Keep him as a back up. What else would we do? The trade thing is speculation from this board.

[StillerInCT]

The Steelers need a QB. Everything else is gravy. Ben could win it all with this defense, JuJu, year two Diontae, James Washington, and a revolving crew of RBs with some receiving and pass pro talent. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind.

Not trying to bash Ben, but he's going to be 38 years old coming back off of surgery on his throwing arm. We can't say definitively what we're going to get when he suits up. He really needs to put in extra work this offseason to get his arm back in shape. I would say he needs to forgo his offseason pitch count and throw as much as possible to get his arm strength back.

[nycsteel]

Keep Dupree and get a receiver & RB in the draft, plus get Ben back... instant SB contender. If the franchise is smart, and I have my doubts, they should go all in on the next two years. Restructure deals, kick cap hits out into 2022. Free up room to get as much talent as you can for the next two years. Then sucks in 2022 and look to draft the next QB. I 100% guarantee Mason Rudolph isn’t it.

I don't know how to get the correct salary cap info or analyze it. But isn't all the AB dead money gone after this year? And somehow Shazier had $ count against the cap this year as well? So won't that free up a huge amount of $ for next year to fill the big holes, sign Dupree and/or Hargrave etc.

Plus all the $ saved from finally cutting Switzer loose...

[955876]

Not trying to bash Ben, but he's going to be 38 years old coming back off of surgery on his throwing arm. We can't say definitively what we're going to get when he suits up.

Ya this.

Ben is rusty to start seasons and after missing a week or two.

One can only imagine how he is after missing an entire season.

Hard work (mentally & physically) could alleviate this to a degree but that has never been Ben.

Maybe he turns over a new leaf and works his ass off to come back sharp.

I’m fully expecting some great games mixed in with plenty of bad ones.

I also expect his body will be out of getting hit mode and will likely get injured again on what would appear to be a benign hit.

He hasn’t been enough of a difference maker (3 playoff wins in damn near a decade) before this injury & elevated age so not expecting a savior now.

I’m really hoping he comes back motivated and dialed in for a final run.

His wing wasn’t hurt last season when he tossed 5 picks in the opener.

IF (and it’s a big IF) Tomlin has his coaches and roster on point and Ben comes back motivated and in shape then he could be part of a championship team. I don’t think he can carry a mediocre one.

So unless things fall into place, I’m going to stand by former claim that Ben & Jibba have won their last SB together.

[steelmann58]

en will be back with a vengance and if the steelers can find a Playmaking TE deep threat of a Wr and Home run hitter type of RB we be fine with this defense.

[Texas Black & Gold]

When Ben returns next season how many pre-season games should he play in?

I would like to see him play in all of them.

I was disappointed that he did not play more in this preseason.

[Stillchest]

Not trying to bash Ben, but he's going to be 38 years old coming back off of surgery on his throwing arm. We can't say definitively what we're going to get when he suits up.

Ya this.

Ben is rusty to start seasons and after missing a week or two.

One can only imagine how he is after missing an entire season.

Hard work (mentally & physically) could alleviate this to a degree but that has never been Ben.

Maybe he turns over a new leaf and works his ass off to come back sharp.

I’m fully expecting some great games mixed in with plenty of bad ones.

I also expect his body will be out of getting hit mode and will likely get injured again on what would appear to be a benign hit.

He hasn’t been enough of a difference maker (3 playoff wins in damn near a decade) before this injury & elevated age so not expecting a savior now.

I’m really hoping he comes back motivated and dialed in for a final run.

His wing wasn’t hurt last season when he tossed 5 picks in the opener.

IF (and it’s a big IF) Tomlin has his coaches and roster on point and Ben comes back motivated and in shape then he could be part of a championship team. I don’t think he can carry a mediocre one.

So unless things fall into place, I’m going to stand by former claim that Ben & Jibba have won their last SB together.

Of course, Tomlin and Ben have won their last SB.

The current offense needs an overhaul, beginning with the OC. A new, fresh offensive philosophy and perspective is needed, for this team to become championship caliber, imo.

Tomlin, Ben, and Fichtner will all be back in 2020, which is the worst thing for the immediate future of the franchise. T love Ben as a player, but I know Tomlin and Fichtner are a packaged deal with Ben.

Tomlin is a decent HC but not the right HC for a young Steelers team.

Fichtner is clueless.

Ben needs legit playmakers at WR and TE, which the Steelers have none of. What are the odds of acquiring such players in one offseason, that will make the difference in 2020 for a SB run?!

I think, many fans are weary about moving forward with wholesale changes. They too, have become comfortable with the known, even though they may acknowledge this Steelers team needs to move in a different direction.

Personally, I’m ready for it. I’m not interested in staleness, complacency, status quo, nor living in nostalgia.

[steelmann58]

I guess Ben made Randy a good OC ?

[Kodiak]

So unless things fall into place, I’m going to stand by former claim that Ben & Jibba have won their last SB together.

Now that he knows his arm will probably outlast the rest of his body, maybe he won't be afraid of throwing more in preseason and throughout the year in practice.

[drmalba]

I am still not sold on LJ. Look at how much Mahomes has dropped off after one year. He was Zeus and could do know wrong...put down some plays on tape, and then injuries.

One thing that gives me hope for Mason Rudolph is how accurately this board assessed Lamar Jackson.

[LakecrestSteeler]

I am still not sold on LJ. Look at how much Mahomes has dropped off after one year. He was Zeus and could do know wrong...put down some plays on tape, and then injuries.

One thing that gives me hope for Mason Rudolph is how accurately this board assessed Lamar Jackson.

That is funny Doc.

I still don’t think he will work out because the knees aren’t bionic yet. Coincidentally, he played against Watson who was the next coming of MJ and Vick rolled into one....until the injury of course, and he seemed like more of a passer than LJ. But yet LJ beats DW by a landslide.

I will give him one more year. He did not impress me in the first meeting.

[955876]

Personally, I’m ready for it. I’m not interested in staleness, complacency, status quo, nor living in nostalgia.

Me either.

[Jobu]

When Ben returns next season how many pre-season games should he play in?

I would like to see him play in all of them.

I was disappointed that he did not play more in this preseason.

I guarantee you that he will play in one(3rd) and one only.

[Texas Black & Gold]

When Ben returns next season how many pre-season games should he play in?

I would like to see him play in all of them.

I was disappointed that he did not play more in this preseason.

I guarantee you that he will play in one(3rd) and one only.

Would that be a coaches decision or more of a Ben decision? And more importantly I would think Ben would need to get rid of the rust and test his elbow more.

[Jobu]

When Ben returns next season how many pre-season games should he play in?

I would like to see him play in all of them.

I was disappointed that he did not play more in this preseason.

I guarantee you that he will play in one(3rd) and one only.

Would that be a coaches decision or more of a Ben decision? And more importantly I would think Ben would need to get rid of the rust and test his elbow more.

Since some of the other veterans only play the one game I’m going to guess it’s the coach making that call. Ben is on record that he would like to play more in the preseason.
This is becoming more and more common around the league. There were several veteran QBs that didn’t see a snap in this past preseason. Coaches are more about practice reps than putting their star player in harms way during meaningless games.
IMO, using preseason games as preparation is way overrated by fans.

[Texas Black & Gold]

I guarantee you that he will play in one(3rd) and one only.

Would that be a coaches decision or more of a Ben decision? And more importantly I would think Ben would need to get rid of the rust and test his elbow more.

Since some of the other veterans only play the one game I’m going to guess it’s the coach making that call. Ben is on record that he would like to play more in the preseason.
This is becoming more and more common around the league. There were several veteran QBs that didn’t see a snap in this past preseason. Coaches are more about practice reps than putting their star player in harms way during meaningless games.
IMO, using preseason games as preparation is way overrated by fans.

I understand that preseason is generally used to evaluate new players. But for me I am thinking logically that the more realistic practice you get at a skill the better you become. But that may not hold true for football.

[Jobu]

Would that be a coaches decision or more of a Ben decision? And more importantly I would think Ben would need to get rid of the rust and test his elbow more.

Since some of the other veterans only play the one game I’m going to guess it’s the coach making that call. Ben is on record that he would like to play more in the preseason.
This is becoming more and more common around the league. There were several veteran QBs that didn’t see a snap in this past preseason. Coaches are more about practice reps than putting their star player in harms way during meaningless games.
IMO, using preseason games as preparation is way overrated by fans.

I understand that preseason is generally used to evaluate new players. But for me I am thinking logically that the more realistic practice you get at a skill the better you become. But that may not hold true for football.

IMO, the biggest plus of the preseason game is the ability to work under game situations. But as far as chemistry, cohesiveness, and synergy, that comes with constant reps on the practice field. Not to mention polish of craft and of course conditioning.
But with practice time severely limited under the current CBA, that’s probably not as true as it was in the past.

[stillthere]

Why would it take 5-6 years to rebuild? This isn't 1990

But what if they replace Tomlin by promoting Danny Smith?

Could end up being like Arians and be a better head coach than coordinator.

[TemporaryDuck]

Doesn't Ben idolize John Elway or something like that? He's going to keep playing until he wins 2 more Lombardis, and want a piece of the action afterwards.

But man, he's been hitting the Twinkies it seems. Also, I am totally unconvinced he is paying attention to the games at all while on the sideline. It looks like he's just doing it for appearance's sake.

[Stillchest]

Doesn't Ben idolize John Elway or something like that? He's going to keep playing until he wins 2 more Lombardis, and want a piece of the action afterwards.

But man, he's been hitting the Twinkies it seems. Also, I am totally unconvinced he is paying attention to the games at all while on the sideline. It looks like he's just doing it for appearance's sake.

stop trolling.

It’s so pointless, man.

[Rod & Wire Mill]

The Steelers need a QB. Everything else is gravy. Ben could win it all with this defense, JuJu, year two Diontae, James Washington, and a revolving crew of RBs with some receiving and pass pro talent. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind.

Not trying to bash Ben, but he's going to be 38 years old coming back off of surgery on his throwing arm. We can't say definitively what we're going to get when he suits up. He really needs to put in extra work this offseason to get his arm back in shape. I would say he needs to forgo his offseason pitch count and throw as much as possible to get his arm strength back.

I think that if he decides to really come back he’s going to get the best arm and overall rehab possible. He won’t half ass it. Would it be enough? We’ll see. Hopefully it will be

[Steelafan77]

If I were Ben I wouldn't come back

Take your ball and go home then!

[Havoc]

The Steelers need a QB. Everything else is gravy. Ben could win it all with this defense, JuJu, year two Diontae, James Washington, and a revolving crew of RBs with some receiving and pass pro talent. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind.

If Ben still has the big arm then yes it's possible.