Roethlisberger considering NFL retirement
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he's not ready to commit to playing in the NFL next season after the Pittsburgh Steelers' 36-17 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
The two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Pro Bowler implied in a radio interview that he is considering retirement.
"I'm going to take this offseason to evaluate, to consider all options," Roethlisberger told 93.7 The Fan.
"To consider health, and family and things like that and just kind of take some time away to evaluate next season, if there's going to be a next season."
Roethlisberger added, "I'm going to take some time and evaluate with my family and just do a lot of praying about it and make sure (playing next season is) the right thing for me and my family."
Roethlisberger, 34, threw for 3,819 yards and 29 touchdowns over 14 games in 2016. He is the Steelers' all-time leader in passing yards (46,814) and touchdowns (301) in 185 career games over his 13 seasons with Pittsburgh.
In the AFC Championship Game, Roethlisberger completed 31 of 47 passes (66 per cent) for 314 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
"They out-played us," Roethlisberger said.
"They were the better team on that day, and it showed. They out-coached us, they outplayed us, they out-executed us and the better team won the football game. It's frustrating, but that's the way it goes sometimes."
