Bettis: It's hard to think Ben would walk away right now

Ben Roethlisberger's comments on his future - and possible retirement - caused everyone in Pittsburgh to pause and consider life after Big Ben.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback for the last 13 seasons said he won't yet commit to playing in 2017, and that shook everyone in Steeler Nation, including Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis.

"In my gut, I think Ben still has a couple more years of being a really, really high-level quarterback. It's hard to think he would walk away right now," Bettis said Wednesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, according to Alex Marvez of the Sporting News.

Roethlisberger and Bettis shared the Steelers' backfield in 2004 and 2005, winning a Super Bowl together in the '05 season. Roethlisberger won the title again in 2008, but has been unable to reach the top of the mountain since.

Bettis believes his former quarterback just needs time to reflect and assess the damage he's sustained through the years.

"What you have to do is start to think about your mortality as a football player in terms of getting ready for the next season," he said. "You've got to get yourself prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally to play. You've got to ask yourself, 'Am I committed to it?'"