How do you replace a future Hall of Fame quarterback? Maybe with another future Hall of Famer. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who turned 41 in March, could be a wild card candidate for the New York Jets.
“Wild cards include retired quarterbacks such as Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, and — wait for it — Blake Bortles, who went to the 2017 AFC Championship Game in Jacksonville with now-Jets play-caller Nathaniel Hackett as his offensive coordinator. Should the Jets, as currently constructed, be trying to swing a trade for reinforcements?” Fowler said in his most recent insider notebook.
Former Jets quarterback Joe Flacco, who played the previous three seasons with the team, is reportedly another option to replace Rodgers. New York can also wait until the trade deadline to see if better options become available.
When Was the Last Time Ben Roethlisberger Played?
Roethlisberger played for the Steelers in 2021 before retiring after 18 seasons. In 16 games, he had 22 touchdowns and 3,740 pass yards, the lowest numbers he had in both categories when playing at least 15 games since 2011.
Roethlisberger suffered an elbow injury in Week 2 of 2019 that required season-ending surgery. He returned to play 31 games in his final two seasons, and the Steelers made the playoffs both years.
This month it will be 19 years ago that Big Ben started his career with the Steelers#steelers
🎥NFL Legacy @_BigBen7 pic.twitter.com/xdMaEXxdQt
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) September 8, 2023
Roethlisberger brings lots of experience and a proven track record of leading teams to the postseason. The Steelers made the postseason 12 times in 18 seasons. Roethlisberger won two Super Bowls during his career, including Super Bowl XLIII, when he threw the game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute.
His one Super Bowl loss was to the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers.
What Is the Biggest Concern About Bringing in Big Ben?
Injuries would be the biggest concern for the Jets if they brought in Roethlisberger. He has suffered several injuries during his career and missed at least three games in five different seasons. Roethlisberger suffered elbow, knee, pectoral, and hip injuries during his final three years.
Who Else Could Be a Wild Card Candidate?
Bortles is a candidate, according to Fowler. Bortles played for current Jets OC Hackett in Jacksonville.
Bortles helped the Jaguars reach the AFC Championship Game in 2017. He had 103 career touchdowns in five seasons with the Jaguars. Bortles last played in a regular season in 2019. He had two pass attempts in three games with the Los Angeles Rams.
Who Is Zach Wilson’s Current Backup?
Tim Boyle was elevated from the Jets practice squad this week and will serve as the backup against the Cowboys. This is his first season with the Jets organization.
MORE: Jets Free Agent QB Options
Boyle, who is in his fifth season, has played in 17 career games with the Packers, Bears, and Lions. He lost all three of his career starts, which were with the Lions in 2021.
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