It wIt will be hard, but Steelers need to consider benching Ben Roethlisbergerill

When a franchise icon fails, what should you do? Answering this question is not simple.

Ben Roethlisberger’s career is worthy of the Hall of Fame. He has two Super Bowl victories. He may have had his number unofficially retired (the Steelers have officially retired only two numbers for many of their greats). When it comes to his legacy, the Steelers wish to exercise caution.

But this isn’t the same Roethlisberger who guided the Steelers to a 2009 Super Bowl victory by leading them downfield against the Arizona Cardinals. A year after undergoing a significant elbow rehabilitation, there were some frightening moments during the previous season when it appeared that Roethlisberger was finished. Then, his appearance has declined this season.

Maybe it’s time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to make

a shift following a 24-10 home defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals, regardless of how difficult it will be.

It was probably time to yank Roethlisberger after his horrendous interception on third down in the third quarter. A Bengals touchdown and a 24-7 deficit resulted from the pick. With only 98 yards on 15 throws, Roethlisberger was not very good. He is no longer able to throw downfield. At that time in the game, he had two picks and a 50.4 rating. An easy underneath shovel pass resulted in a touchdown pass, which greatly boosted his rating. He nearly threw another interception in the third quarter, sailing a pass too high over his target, but the Bengals dropped it deep in their own territory. Roethlisberger missed a wide-open James Washington downfield later in the fourth quarter, which could have resulted in a long touchdown.

There were just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when the ultimate humiliation occurred. With the score down 24-10, Roethlisberger took the snap and fired a swing pass to Najee Harris behind the line right away. It got nothing in return. It is hard to envision Roethlisberger making that pass in his heyday.

Roethlisberger only stayed in for two good reasons during the entire game. First, the backups for the Steelers aren’t particularly good. It is not a season that Mason Rudolph is saving. The other is that it’s cruel given everything Roethlisberger has done for the team. This is something the Steelers will struggle with throughout the season as he rapidly ages out.

Had Roethlisberger not been one of the greatest Steelers players of all time, Rudolph very likely would have entered the game on Sunday. Roethlisberger is lacking in