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A former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowler thinks it is time for the team to start thinking about the future.
During Friday morning’s episode of Get Up! on ESPN, former safety Ryan Clark called for the Steelers to bench starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the remainder of the season.
Clark says Roethlisberger is holding back the Steelers, who are 5-5-1 and have not won since November 8.
“I owe my Super Bowl ring to Ben Roethlisberger,” Clark said. “With all that being said, time is up. It’s time to move on. It’s time to see what else you have in that locker room. Big Ben is hurting this team now. It’s time for Big Ben to take a seat.”
.@Realrclark25 had strong words for his former teammate, Ben Roethlisberger.
"I owe my Super Bowl ring to Ben Roethlisberger. With all that being said, time is up. It's time to move on. … Big Ben is hurting this team now. … It's time for Big Ben to take a seat." pic.twitter.com/k5cCyD6l8A
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 3, 2021
Pittsburgh is currently riding a two-game losing streak where they have given up more than 40 points in each outing. Prior to the losing streak, the Steelers tied the winless Detroit Lions.
The 39-year-old Roethlisberger has thrown for 2,522 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions this season.
It is unlikely that the team will bench the future Hall of Famer for the remainder of the season, but if they do, Mason Rudolph and/or Dwayne Haskins would have an opportunity to show they can lead the team in the immediate future. The most likely decision for the Steelers, however, is to finish the year with Roethlisberger and plan for the future in the offseason while they wait for his decision on retirement.