Ravens' Harbaugh not taking Roethlisberger retirement talk seriously

Ben Roethlisberger has yet to confirm he'll return for the 2017 season, but his retirement talk apparently hasn't fooled the Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest rivals.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday that he hasn't taken Roethlisberger's past comments about retirement seriously.

"We're preparing for No. 7," said Harbaugh, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.

After sending Steelers fans into a panic in January by refusing to commit to playing another year, the veteran quarterback has provided some hope of late, saying he's "leaning toward" a return.

The Ravens-Steelers rivalry is bigger than just one player, but there's little doubt that a certain degree of intrigue would diminish without Roethlisberger.