What Does This Draft Tell Us About the Steelers?

[Donnieboy]

By Josh Alper
May 1, 2018, 4:46 PM EDT
Ben Roethlisberger: If Mason Rudolph’s the guy, it won’t be for a while

After being drafted by the Steelers in the third round, rookie quarterback Mason Rudolph said that he doesn’t think it is Ben Roethlisberger‘s job to help prepare him for life in the NFL.

Roethlisberger sees things a bit differently. Roethlisberger said “it’s a good thing” to play a teaching role with younger players, although he stressed that one of the rookie’s lessons will be about patience because Roethlisberger isn’t planning on giving way anytime soon.

“Well, that’s fine. He can [take over someday],” Roethlisberger said to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “But I plan on playing for three to five more years, depending on how the line goes and staying healthy, if I can stay healthy. If he’s going to be their guy, that’s great, but in my perfect world it’s not going to be for a while.”

The only time Roethlisberger didn’t play last year was when he rested in Week 17, but he missed time due to injuries in the previous two seasons. That underscores the need for a capable backup in Pittsburgh, which is a role the Steelers will be hoping Rudolph can fill in the immediate future while questions about what’s next remain on the back burner.

Well there it is there. If he said it we can take it to the bank. Of course this is the same guy who was talking about retiring last year. Funny how things can dramatically change in just the course of a year. Wonder what will be said or how things look this time next year?? Stay tuned......

[Donnieboy]

I would sure hope that what I am saying about Ben can be taken for more than it being about Ben vs Mason Rudolph. Because what I am saying is way more than that. Like having a chance at a Nick Bosa type in 2019 and a Chase Young type in 2020....oh and also about 23 million dollars more cap space. Big picture.

[feltdizz]

Kind of ironic how folks wanted a RB early to send a message to Bell and it probably feels like Ben is being sent a message with the Rudolph pick.

Seriously tho, I think Ben plays 3 more years. Dobbs will have a chance to unseat Landry and Rudolph has to prove he isn’t a wasted pick.

We are following the Pats model of drafting QB’s earlier in hopes we luck up and find a gem.

[Donnieboy]

....Seriously tho, I think Ben plays 3 more years.....

I agree....but not more than 2 for the Steelers. He will not get an extension and if this team waits till he plays this contract out they get nothing in return. If they trade him next year....can you say Nick Bosa?...or the likes.

[NorthCoast]

I believe that Bostic will be a dramatic improvement over Spence...

That's a very low bar for Bostic.

[NorthCoast]

Favre and Manning were mere shells of their former greatness when they were let go. If Roethlisberger displays the same, I don't think the Steelers would have much concern with ending things then. Look what is going on in NE. The BB TB tiff is becoming bigger than the team (or at least the media is making it out to be). I don't see the Steelers allowing it to get to that point.
Remember, they had no problem parting ways with the greatest Steeler safety to ever play the game. When it's your time, it's your time.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

That's a very low bar for Bostic.

Re: Spence - do I remember wrong that coaches really liked him then he had a horrible injury a couple of years back and what we saw was basically his first action in a long time, and he'd basically been on the couch for a year before that?

In other words, could there be a lot more we'll get out of him this coming year than we saw last year?

[feltdizz]

Favre and Manning were mere shells of their former greatness when they were let go. If Roethlisberger displays the same, I don't think the Steelers would have much concern with ending things then. Look what is going on in NE. The BB TB tiff is becoming bigger than the team (or at least the media is making it out to be). I don't see the Steelers allowing it to get to that point.
Remember, they had no problem parting ways with the greatest Steeler safety to ever play the game. When it's your time, it's your time.

Do you see Ben becoming a shell of his former self in the next 3 years?

Barring a major injury i just dont see it. He still has an arm and he has amazing chemistry with the best WR in the game.

Money could be a factor but I doubt it.

[NorthCoast]

Do you see Ben becoming a shell of his former self in the next 3 years?

Barring a major injury i just dont see it. He still has an arm and he has amazing chemistry with the best WR in the game.

Money could be a factor but I doubt it.

Unfortunately as you know, in the NFL it can happen very quickly. Only need to remember the end for the great Jack Lambert...

[NorthCoast]

Re: Spence - do I remember wrong that coaches really liked him then he had a horrible injury a couple of years back and what we saw was basically his first action in a long time, and he'd basically been on the couch for a year before that?

In other words, could there be a lot more we'll get out of him this coming year than we saw last year?

I assume he was sitting on a couch for a reason...

[Sugar]

Do you see Ben becoming a shell of his former self in the next 3 years?

Barring a major injury i just dont see it. He still has an arm and he has amazing chemistry with the best WR in the game.

Money could be a factor but I doubt it.

Not to mention that he's also tight with the OC and the HC.

Who knows, maybe a team will pony up something sweet (players, draft picks) to take Rudolph off our hands? It's worked for the Patriots...

[RuthlessBurgher]

I agree....but not more than 2 for the Steelers. He will not get an extension and if this team waits till he plays this contract out they get nothing in return. If they trade him next year....can you say Nick Bosa?...or the likes.

Nick Bosa will likely be a top overall pick like his brother. You think some team is going to part with a top 5 pick for a year or two of play from a QB in his late 30's?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Well there it is there. If he said it we can take it to the bank. Of course this is the same guy who was talking about retiring last year. Funny how things can dramatically change in just the course of a year. Wonder what will be said or how things look this time next year?? Stay tuned......

Did you ever work somewhere with an immediate supervisor you just couldn't stand? Even if you loved the job at one time, dealing with that putz everyday ultimately sucked the life out of you, making you want to quit virtually every day? Well, Todd Haley was Ben's Lumburgh. Now that the Rooneys brought in the two Bobs as consultants to remove Todd and promote Ben's buddy Randy, going to work is fun again like it was way back when he got totwork for his other buddy Bruce.

[Steel Maniac]

Good point; because he definitely sounds rejuvenated.

[NorthCoast]

Did you ever work somewhere with an immediate supervisor you just couldn't stand? Even if you loved the job at one time, dealing with that putz everyday ultimately sucked the life out of you, making you want to quit virtually every day? Well, Todd Haley was Ben's Lumburgh. Now that the Rooneys brought in the two Bobs as consultants to remove Todd and promote Ben's buddy Randy, going to work is fun again like it was way back when he got totwork for his other buddy Bruce.

It will only be fun if it results in wins. If not, the chorus of OC/QB being too buddy buddy will begin to sing again ala BA...