Ben Roethlisberger: 'I feel like I'm playing my best football'
By David Kenyon
Although the Pittsburgh Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs, Ben Roethlisberger has entered the offseason with a positive takeaway.
“I feel like I’m playing my best football,” Roethlisberger said during an interview on 93.7 The Fan (h/t ESPN). “That’s a big credit to the guys around me.”
Roethlisberger sustained at least four injuries in 2015 but still managed to guide the Steelers to the Divisional Round in the postseason.
He missed four games due to a sprained MCL and bone bruise, played through a sprained ankle, exited a loss early due to a concussion and tore ligaments on his throwing shoulder. Roethlisberger told 93.7 The Fan he will not need surgery in the coming months.
Undoubtedly, the biggest reason for Pittsburgh’s success is the depth of skill-position players. Antonio Brown is one of, if not the best receiver in the NFL. Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton are respectable complements, while Heath Miller is a reliable tight end.
The Steelers also battled through injuries to running backs. Le’Veon Bell tore his right MCL and DeAngelo Williams sprained his right ankle, which led to Fitzgerald Toussaint carrying the load against the Denver Broncos. Toussaint’s fumble was a key mistake in the loss.
Nevertheless, Big Ben completed a career-best 68.0 percent of his passes during the regular season and threw 21 touchdowns. His 16 interceptions were the highest mark since 2006, but the Steelers were 9-5 overall with Roethlisberger under center this season.
He’ll enter the 2016 campaign at 34 years old, which is far from the swansong of Roethlisberger’s career. Three of the four remaining quarterbacks in the current playoffs are 36 or older.
If the Steelers stay healthy next season, Roethlisberger can keep playing his best football with tremendous surrounding talents and have an excellent chance to reach another Super Bowl.
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