Sorry to post this buttttt:

It definitely has me a little nervous that Ben leaving could be a possibility:

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/smizik-on-sports/2014/10/16/Bob-Smizik-24/stories/201410160262

And no, I'm not Crash...

That article honestly didn't change anything for me. I'm still not worried about it.

Better you than me. I was going to post it.......but.......

I read the article and believe that it could possibly happen. I don't believe it to be probable, but one never knows.

Ben's contract is up the end of this season, correct? My question is if Ben has a bad year (I'm not really concerned about that, but for giggles sake, let's say if), are the Rooney's going to be willing to pay him the big bucks to keep him?

I have actually seen this discussion going on at other forums. Some feel he is expendable as he is nearing the end of his career. I heartily do not agree. It's difficult to find a good franchise QB (look at the years between Bradshaw and Ben). If push came to shove, I think Art II would lose Haley before he'd ever let Ben walk, imho.

Disclaimer: I'm not Crash either

I do think that Ben is a man of his word when he said that he wants to retire as a Pittsburgh Steeler.

In my heart of hearts, I don't believe he would leave either. He started his career here, and I think he really wants to end it here. But there has been something off with Ben this season while watching him play. I've mentioned it before, and I can't put my finger on it. Lack of desire or SOMETHING...anyway, to answer your question Ginger, he has a year left on his contract before he gets opened up to free agency and the Steelers are expected to make him a deal before that happens. But if shotty play continues by Ben, and I just won't let myself believe it is intentional, the Steelers may opt to let him test the waters, who knows...

It's always a possibility. The way this league is run now, it's never about keeping players for their entire contracts or until they retire. Very few, over the last 15 years have had that luxury. Likewise players are also looking for their next great paycheck and with the business this has become, they're all about monies.

Do I expect Ben to leave at the end of the season? No.
Do I anticipate the Steelers offering him another 3-4 year contract? Yes
Can it all backfire regardless of which way it goes? Yes
Do the Steelers need to find his replacement soon? Yes

Ben has always stated he wanted to finish his career here. The Steelers have mentioned they wanted him to finish his career here. Now it's up to both sides to make it happen and the media can write what ever the heck they want. It's all fodder, and all just for hysterics in a season not yet gone south. I can't imagine what the storylines will be if the Steelers fall below .500 and stay there.

But then again, negativity is the way of the NFL lately.

I guess we'll have to wait and see how this season plays out.  

Deep down, I think he'll stay.  But as Truck said, the NFL is all about $$$$.  Not going to fret.  If he goes, not a damn thing we can do about it, and we'll just hope we get lucky in the draft.  GB did.

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Do the Steelers need to find his replacement soon? Yes

Yep.  I said this last year ......ohhh wait......we got Landry Jones

I know we have more pressing needs (like cornerback, NT), but if I were Tomlin and Colbert....I wouldn't put it on the back burner.  Would be nice to start grooming someone and have a solid back up at the same time.  I mean, GB hit the lotto with Rodgers , Kurt Warner was picked up while he was bagging groceries, and Tom Terrific didn't go until, what, the sixth round?  

Ohhhh.......and speaking of that dreamboat Warner

Here's a different slant. I agree something is off with Ben. Could it be possible that he is losing his desire to play,period? He has taken a lot of punishment over his career. Could it be possible that he simply retires and winds up in the booth?

Ella I also think he is a man of his word and that has me wondering if he is starting to think about retirement.

I think Ben will be in Pittsburgh his entire career,I am not worried at all.

Off the top of my head, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre are three great QBs who didn't finish where they started. In all three situations, the teams decided it was time to move on.

It's a very real possibility that Ben and the Steelers will part ways in the near future. I think what it boils down to is whether the front office believes the current team has a chance to compete for a Super Bowl over the next few seasons. If they do, then they'll want to keep Ben around. If they don't, then they might want to start the rebuilding process. Obviously, it would be best to have Ben's replacement on the roster before parting ways, and the Steelers' future QB is not currently on the roster.

Steeler Nation will freak out when they bring in Ben's eventual replacement. But it would be stupid to wait until Ben retires, leaves, or the team decides it's time to move on.

solardave wrote:

Here's a different slant. I agree something is off with Ben. Could it be possible that he is losing his desire to play,period? He has taken a lot of punishment over his career. Could it be possible that he simply retires and winds up in the booth?

Ella I also think he is a man of his word and that has me wondering if he is starting to think about retirement.

Throw in the fact that he's got 2 kids now. Can make a world of difference.

Wallace108 wrote:

Off the top of my head, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre are three great QBs who didn't finish where they started. In all three situations, the teams decided it was time to move on.

It's a very real possibility that Ben and the Steelers will part ways in the near future. I think what it boils down to is whether the front office believes the current team has a chance to compete for a Super Bowl over the next few seasons. If they do, then they'll want to keep Ben around. If they don't, then they might want to start the rebuilding process. Obviously, it would be best to have Ben's replacement on the roster before parting ways, and the Steelers' future QB is not currently on the roster.

Steeler Nation will freak out when they bring in Ben's eventual replacement. But it would be stupid to wait until Ben retires, leaves, or the team decides it's time to move on.

All of those teams had replacements for those 3 you mentioned. The Steelers would be idiotic to believe that Landry Jones can fill the starter's role.

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All of those teams had replacements for those 3 you mentioned. The Steelers would be idiotic to believe that Landry Jones can fill the starter's role.

Yes, if Ben moves on for whatever reason, and we don't have a back up on the roster that has talent, then I will have a full blown panic attack.  

I still can't figure out what they saw in Landry Jones.  Maybe they see something we don't see...(cough)

BR7 may go, BR7 may stay; I'm going to enjoy him while he's here. I really hope he finishes his career as a Steeler.