Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert kicked off the media sessions at the NFL Combine by saying Ben Roethlisberger could have a shocking return to the NFL in 2020.
“The possibility is real he could be a better football player coming out of this surgery,” Colbert told the media Tuesday. “I’m encouraged and excited [about] where he can go.”
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But can Big Ben turn such a critical injury into a positive and put together a comeback season for the ages? Such an act would only serve to further cement his Hall of Fame credentials. But what standard is Roethlisberger facing?
Two of the most notorious examples in recent history are Adrian Peterson and Peyton Manning. Both suffered critical injuries to their respective abilities in their positions.
Peterson’s ACL injury could have derailed a Hall of Fame career by severely hampering his ability to move laterally with his 220lb frame. Instead, Peterson returned to the Vikings in 2012 and fell just nine yards short of the single-season rushing record, garnering him NFL MVP honors.
Manning’s neck injury very well could have ended his career in another era of technology. Manning’s ability to grip a football, and strength to take a hit, were placed in serious question in 2011. Manning returned in 2012 with a new equine franchise as an All-Pro before setting a NFL record for passing touchdowns in a season with 55 in 2013 and securing his fifth MVP award.
Both Manning and and Peterson returned from career-threatening injuries by topping their already ridiculous numbers. Can Ben Roethilsberger do the same?
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Roethlisberger’s greatest statistical season was 2018, not that long ago. Although the Steelers only mustered a 9-6-1 record, Roethlisberger completed 67% of his passes for over 5000 yards, with a career best 34 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
Asking Roethlisberger to fire the cannon 675 times in 2020 as he did two years ago may be a tough proposition. Throwing for over 5000 yards again without a top-5 receiver may be an even taller task. However, there are other ways.
Ben could throw for a career high in touchdowns. His benchmark of 34 isn’t an unreasonable number in today’s NFL. With three young playmakers, Ben could find himself topping that total if he comes out aggressive. However, coupling a new high in touchdowns would be futile if he nearly leads the league in interceptions. Keeping that total in the single digits would prove to any outside doubters that Ben was indeed “better.”
However, all of it is for not if the team fails to make the playoffs. The 2019 Steeler defense was one of the best in the NFL and drug the franchise to an 8-8 record. There’s no excuse as there was in 2018 in this regard.
His weapons may be young. But Ben Roethlisberger has proven he’s one of the toughest of all time. There may be plenty of skepticism for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger in 2020. But just as Peterson and Manning did, Roethlisberger can overcome it all.