Ben Roethlisberger Not Yet Committing To Returning To NFL Next Season

Ben Roethlisberger may be taking some time off.

Ben Roethlisberger Not Yet Committing To Returning To NFL Next Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback stated Tuesday he was not yet prepared to returning to play in the NFL next season.

“I’m gonna take this offseason to evaluate, to consider all options, to consider health and family and things like that and just kind of take some time away to evaluate next season — if there’s gonna be a next season,” Roethlisberger announced during his weekly radio show with 93.7 The Fan’s Ron Cook and Andrew Fillipponi.

Earlier in the interview, Roethlisberger revealed he knew of Le’Veon Bell’s groin injury since before the AFC Championship– which the Steelers lost to New England 36-17– and that he couldn’t recall whether he was forced to have a conversation with Antonio Brown after DeAngelo Williams’ touchdown. NFL Network’s Aditi Khinkabwala reported that on Monday.

Roethlisberger will be 35 in March. This season, he completed 64.4 percent of his passes with 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

“I think at [this] point in my career, at my age, that’s the prudent and smart thing to do every year,” Roethlisberger said.

At his end-of-season press conference Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he believes his QB is being completely serious in his announcement.

“He said it, so you do take it seriously,” Tomlin said. “I think that that’s a fair assessment in terms of where he is in his career. I’m not alarmed by it. I just think that that’s football. I obviously am hopeful that he returns.”

Backup quarterback Landry Jones is 2-2 in four career starts with seven touchdown passes and six interceptions, although he becomes a free agent in March. The Steelers have seven draft picks in 2017 and the 30th overall pick in the first round.

Tomlin added Roethlisberger’s decision will “weigh heavily” in Pittsburgh’s offseason planning.

He said Roethlisberger does not have any injury that would require offseason surgery, but also said injuries are always a concern.

“Injuries are always a key,” he said. “Head injuries are always a big thing. I feel very blessed and thankful that my line was as good as they were this year.”

PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 25: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass in the first half during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)