Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin addressed questions about possibly benching quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Through four weeks of the NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers sit at 1-3. After pulling out an ugly win in Week 1, Pittsburgh has dropped its last three. The biggest criticisms of the team have been the struggling offensive line and the uninspiring play of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
With the team on a three-game losing streak, many are wondering if head coach Mike Tomlin will look for other answers at quarterback. Tomlin addressed those inquiries today with the media.
Tomlin seemingly shutting down any possibility that Roethlisberger won’t be behind center come Sunday.
Mike Tomlin endorses Ben Roethlisberger amid early-season struggles
Tomlin has never been a coach that would speak about a player’s fate to the media before he does the player, so it’s not hard to believe that he continues to publicly endorse Roethlisberger. It also may be true that Roethlisberger is actually the best option at quarterback on the roster, even with his obvious struggles.
The other quarterbacks on the roster are two young, unproven and unpolished options in Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins. Rudolph, who appeared in 15 games in his four-year career with the Steelers, has thrown for 2089 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Haskins, who spent his first two seasons with Washington, has career stats of 2804 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 17 appearances.
While neither Rudolph nor Haskins jumps out as an obvious solution, many argue that it can’t hurt to give them an opportunity. Tomlin, who gets to evaluate all three quarterbacks daily, disagrees. The only other real option that some have brought up is Cam Newton. That also seems unlikely for now considering that signing Newton would signify Tomlin’s readiness to move on from Roethlisberger. His statements today made clear that’s not the case just yet.