Rejuvenated Roethlisberger Ready to Play "Three to Five More Years"

A year after considering retirement, the Steelers quarterback won't leave a team with this much talent

The league's two best quarterbacks might also be the two most dissatisfied—with Charles Robinson recently reporting onAaron Rodgers's frustration with Packers management and Seth Wickersham previously unearthing tension between Tom Brady and his bosses. For much of the past two years, the NFL's (arguably) third-most accomplished passer could match those two for displeasure as much as talent. Ben Roethlisberger publicly discussed retirement last season, reportedly after receiving "biting words" from then-coordinator Todd Haley, and there have been plenty of temporary discussions about his qualms withMike Tomlin, his disappointment regardingAntonio Brown, or even his doubt in his own ability. Now, there's seemingly none of that.

In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Roethlisberger said, " I plan on playing for three to five more years." He also said that he told coaches and ownership the same thing, allowing them to plan long-term. The reason for the contentment is clear. Roethlisberger is no longer working with Haley (nor wideout Martavis Bryant, who was traded to Oakland), while what remains is one of the most talented offenses in the league: three 2018 Pro Bowlers on the offensive line, All-Pros at running back and wide receiver, and a rising star in JuJu Smith-Schuster. I'd stick around to play with that group too, even if the Steelers brass might be ready to begin transitioning to the future (possibly including rookie Mason Rudolph) sooner rather than later.

Reading deeply into Roethlisberger's words has often proved a fool's errand, and I wouldn't bet much on him actually suiting up for the 2022 season. But while the recent statements might not prove accurate, they provide a window into the 36-year-old's current psyche—a sign that he's as happy as ever entering the 2018 season. Now, we'll have to see if a content Roethlisberger proves more capable of achieving the ultimate satisfaction of a championship, which has eluded Pittsburgh since 2008.

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WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: Peter King's mailbag ... Andrew Brandt discussed the business of football as it relates to this year's draft class ...and more.

PRESS COVERAGE

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1.Tom Brady made headlines during an hourlong Q-and-A, saying he wished Malcolm Butler had played in the Super Bowl (and that he didn't know why Butler was benched) and that Bill Belichick is not an easy coach to play for, even if he maximizes talent. Brady also addressed the NFL's falling ratings, players kneeling for the anthem, and how his family feels about him continuing to play such a demanding sport.

2. Browns VP of player personnel Alonzo Highsmith had some interesting things to say about how Cleveland ended up picking Baker Mayfield instead of Sam Darnold, as well as a Josh Rosen anecdote involving meeting a UCLA volleyball coach in an airport that I'm still trying to decipher.

3. Raiders offensive lineman Donald Penn was reportedly involved in a suspected domestic violence incident that led to a visit from the police, though he and his wife issued a joint statement Monday saying, "there was NO physical altercation."

4. The Columbus Dispatch spent time with Isaiah Pead, the former running back whose career ended after a car accident 18 months ago, as he tries to figure out what comes next.

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5. A handful of reporters were taken inside the Colts' draft room after the weekend's proceedings to see why the team chose the players it did. Here's what the writers learned.

6. Former Ohio State QB J.T. Barretthas signed in New Orleans as an undrafted free agent.

7.Reuben Foster's domestic violence case has taken a turn, as the woman involved recanted her allegations and claimed she received her injuries during a separate dispute with another person.

8. Each AFC North team was assigned a foreign player who won't count against their practice squad limit as part of the International Player Pathway program. Among the group is Chris Ezeala, who played fullback and punter in the German Football League, and former rugby player Christian Scotland-Williamson.

9. The Earl Thomas-to-Dallas rumors may have died over the weekend after the Cowboys reportedly refused to send a second-round pick to Seattle for the safety.

10. Football players who started playing tackle football before turning 12 developed behavioral and mood issues earlier in life than other players, a recent study found.

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THE KICKER

I'm mesmerized by new Giants head coach Pat Shurmur's philosophy regarding practice jersey colors. “My experience with that is the shade or the color of the target moving around the field, it helps the quarterback to practice in those colors,” he said.

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