Yesterday I suggested the NFC runner-up Packers had underachieved by only getting to the one Super Bowl in the Ted Thompson-Mike McCarthy era. No one thinks the Steelers are underachievers, going to a pair of Super Bowls and winning one since 2008 in a conference the Patriots annually dominate. But Pittsburgh's offseason is starting out with a lot of questions.
First came yesterday's story that Ben Roethlisberger isn't committed to playing in 2017. He turns 35 in March and has taken a beating over the years, and Mike Tomlin concedes Roethlisberger has talked of retirement before. Probably not going to happen, but something to at least think about if you're mulling a trade involving him, or any key Steelers, in a dynasty league.
“I don't know. It's one of those things, I was talking to my wife about it last night and I've been talking to my agent about it and coach about it,” Roethlisberger said. “I'm going to take this offseason to evaluate it, to consider all options, to consider health, family and things like that and just kind of take some time away to evaluate next season — if there's going to be a next season — all those things."
Another recent story indicated Mike Tomlin knew LeVeon Bell was battling a groin injury prior to the AFC Championship game. Since Bell wasn't listed on the injury report, it's an omission that could potential cost the Steelers a draft pick. The Seahawks are facing a similar issue with Richard Sherman.
Two key receivers are also uncertain for next year: Ladarius Green and Martavis Bryant. Green, with a history of concussions (and other injuries) isn't certain to return. Bryant, suspended all of last season, has applied for reinstatement. His return would be welcome to an offense that didn't get much out of the No. 2 receiver spot.
“(Green's prognosis) is one of the chief medical decisions and questions that we have to have moving forward in terms of guys getting an assessment of their overall health and what it means for 2017,” Tomlin said.
The offseason has just begun and there's plenty of time to get answers to these things, but the Steelers will want to have a sense before free agency and the draft as to whether Roethlisberger, Bryant and Green will be there. Sounds like at least some degree of uncertainty on all three.
--Andy Richardson