Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns could be his last at Heinz Field.PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns could be his last at Heinz Field.
“I don’t ever speak in definites or guarantees,” Roethlisberger said on Thursday. “That’s just not what I’ve ever done, or who I am. But looking at the bigger picture, I would say that all signs are pointing that this could be it.”
The 39-year-old insisted that he won’t make any final decisions until after the season, and Roethlisberger noted that his team remains in the playoff hunt.But for now, the veteran quarterback publicly acknowledged for the first time that he could play his final home game on Monday.address the definite answer at some point down the road,” Roethlisberger said. “My focus is on winning this game. If it is indeed my last regular-season game (at Heinz Field), it’s going to be one of the most important games of my career.” the franchise leader in just about every major statistical passing category. He has led Pittsburgh to three Super Bowl appearances and two championships in a franchise-record 18 seasons with the organization.during the regular season at Heinz Field, the third-most wins by a quarterback at a venue, trailing only Tom Brady and John Elway.
“I’ve been so blessed to play in front of the best fans in all sports at the best venue,” Roethlisberger said. “What better way to have a last regular-season game than ‘Monday Night Football’ against a division opponent.”
Pittsburgh still has an outside chance at the division title, and another game at Heinz Field but any scenario starts with losses by Baltimore and Cincinnati on Sunday.
“I’ve given almost half of my life to this city, this team and the fans,” Roethlisberger said. “But the fun thing is I know I still have it in the tank to go out there this week and next week and give it everything I have to get us into the postseason. The ultimate goal is to win a Lombardi, and that’s still my goal.”
Last offseason, Roethlisberger took a voluntary pay cut to ease some of the burden of a $41 million salary cap hit. That helped ensure Roethlisberger’s return for an 18th season to the only NFL team he’s ever known.
“Coming into this season, I’ve always been one that has wanted to fulfill my obligation to my team,” Roethlisberger said. “And I don’t have a contract next season, so I guess the writing was on the wall. I wouldn’t say that I had my mind made up by any means. But I had my mind made up coming into this season that I was going to give everything I had to try and win a Super Bowl.”
Roethlisberger hasn’t made a public announcement regarding his future to teammates, but he feels that “some guys know what’s going on.” Roethlisberger said he’s largely been able to control his emotions because of the game’s magnitude and playoff implications it holds for the Steelers.
Roethlisberger said he doesn’t want any pomp and circumstance for what could be his final game at Heinz Field. He just wants a win for his team.
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