The Big Ben show has run its course. It's time for a new act.
If they would like to, the Pittsburgh Steelers can blame Sunday's 30-9 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Ben Roethlisberger, and if things don't change soon, they're going to continue to have that option.
As the Steelers couldn't manage to get into the end zone Sunday, Roethlisberger provided his opponents with 12 points as he tossed pick-6s on back-to-back drives in the third quarter. Against the best pass defense in the league, Roethlisberger attempted 55 throws, the most since his 2015 season.
Following the game, Roethlisberger facetiously suggested "maybe I don't have it anymore," according to Will Graves of The Associated Press. But his struggles are no joke.
The Steelers have kept Roethlisberger as the focal point of their offense this season, despite the talent around him. The 35-year-old's career numbers and pair of Super Bowl rings speak for themselves, but with Father Time taking something from Big Ben every season, the Steelers need to refocus their strategy if they want to get their seventh franchise Lombardi Trophy.
Pittsburgh's roster is certainly capable of ascending from the AFC, even with Roethlisberger under center. The Steelers already have arguably the best running back and the best receiver in the league - they don't need to put it all on the quarterback's shoulders.
Last season, the Steelers had seemed to figure out a better formula, giving Le'Veon Bell at least 27 touches in seven of his final nine games as Pittsburgh went on a nine-game winning streak before losing in the AFC Championship Game. It's conceivable that the Steelers would have been in Super Bowl LI if Bell had not been hobbled by a groin injury for their final contest.
Using Bell, who got just 15 carries against the Jaguars' league-worst rushing defense, as a work horse on the ground would allow for Roethlisberger to take less punishment in the pocket and set up play action for the team's deep threats.
Antonio Brown is far and away the best receiver on the roster, but if the team insists on throwing the ball on over 70 percent of the plays, it's too easy to focus on the No. 1 wideout. Brown can fight through plenty of double and triple teams sometimes, though he's still human and his body can only take so much punishment.
The Steel Curtain defense is not back, though the Pittsburgh defense isn't one that should require its offense to play hero ball, entering Week 5 with the second-fewest yards per game average and a stockpile of former first-round defenders on the roster.
Leaning on Roethlisberger to be the star that every win or loss can be pinned on just doesn't make sense given the Steelers' roster. He is far from the best player on the team at this point - at best, he's the third-best player in his own huddle.
On and off the field, Roethlisberger always wants to be the face of the franchise and the first player mentioned when the team is brought up. Whether it's head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Kevin Colbert, or president Art Rooney II, someone needs to tell Roethlisberger it's time to pass the torch. It's not an easy thing to do, as Big Ben has been the straw that stirs the drink since the 15-game winning streak that started his career in 2004.
Given the overall inconsistency of the AFC this season, the Steelers are still very much in the playoff hunt with a 3-2 record, giving them time to come to their senses and not put so much on Roethlisberger's plate. If a five-interception performance doesn't push the Steelers toward a balanced game plan, they will have only themselves to blame when they're watching Super Bowl LII from the couch.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
