Steelers Fans, Media Should Just Let Roethlisberger Play Football
Jul 26, 2014; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) address the media after drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard not to get worked up when your franchise quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers fate is left in the ether of the unknown for an entire season. But that’s just the way it is right now, and Steeler fans should just take a deep breath, grab their Terrible Towels, and get on with the season.
I’m concerned just as much as anybody in Steeler Nation about the future of Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. But, I think I’ve finally made amends with the situation and feel that it’s time to move on and not worry about this until February of 2015.
You can’t really blame anyone out there for being a little worried. Well I guess you could. This whole situation began when genius boy and jagoff extraordinaire, Ian Rapoport “reported” on NFL Network back in November that Ben was fed up with the Steelers and wanted to be traded to a team ready to pay him what he’s worth – a divorce if you will. Blame that moron. Ever since then, Roethlisberger has graced every outlet, blog, and Donny on the street at least once a week with talk of trades, contract extensions, or the lack thereof. He’s had to countlessly deny every kind of that claim. He’s had to practically scream from the mountaintop that he wants to retire a Steeler. The Steelers brass has proclaimed numerous times they want what he wants – for #7 to retire a Steeler for life. They even imposed a gag order on contract negotiations…. well for at least a little while.
Twitter feeds go on for hours with people arguing about whether Ben needs to prove himself (a ludicrous thought) or that the Rooney’s are hell bent on making sure that Roethlisberger takes no snaps beyond the final game in his contract (provocative but quite the reach). And then there’s every scenario and philosophy in between. It’s a topic that has become more saturated than a 350 lbs. man’s sleeveless t-shirt on a hot July day in the heart of Louisiana.
Well, there is one thing I know for certain – yinz all need to just let this go and ride out for now. Let the man play football. Leave the questions to the offseason.
Wouldn’t you enjoy the season a little bit more if you weren’t searching for every little tidbit about Big Ben’s contract situation? There won’t be much news anyways (new news at least) considering the Steelers don’t negotiate with players during the season. So why beat this topic like Ray Rice in an elevator (too soon????)?
It will all be handled (or mishandled) all in do time. The Rooney’s will construct their narrative. Big Ben will profess his. In the end, we might see a contract. We might not. There will be a time to bitch and moan. A time to reflect and conspire. So for now, let it all be and have fun rooting for the Black & Gold every week. You might just add some weeks and months onto your life, AND you might just enjoy the season that much more. I know I will.
HERE WE GO.