Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Confirms He Is Retiring

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, 39, confirms he is retiring after 18 seasons, 2 Super Bowl titles.

There was an assumption as the Steelers' season ended that Ben would be ending his playing career when the team's 2021 campaign concluded.

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says all options are on the table when it comes to finding a starting quarterback in 2022. Backups Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins will get a chance to compete for the job, but Tomlin did not rule out using free agency or the NFL draft.

Rudolph has met with mixed results during his four years filling in for Roethlisberger and says there are too many factors for him to consider himself the favorite. Haskins is attempting to resurrect his career after fading out in less than two seasons in Washington, which took him with the 15th overall pick in the 2019 draft.

Tomlin did indicate offensive coordinator Matt Canada will return for a second year, but added that longtime defensive coordinator Keith Butler and general manager Kevin Colbert could both retire in the coming months.