3 takeaways from Ben Roethlisberger returning in 2021

The news came out on Tuesday that Ben Roethlisberger would be returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 once the two sides got his contract figured out. This is huge for the team on many levels and we wanted to offer some quick takeaways from this piece of breaking but not surprising news.

Complicates the future at QB

(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

The return of Roethlisberger means he will be the starter for all 17 games in 2021 assuming he stays healthy. Meanwhile, both of the team's primary backups, Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins are in the final years of their respective contracts. This means at the end of the 2021 season, Roethlisberger could leave again and Pittsburgh will have even more questions about who will start in 2022.

This doesn't make the Steelers a Super Bowl contender

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

For everyone excited about the promise of a better 2021 season with Big Ben back under center, you should probably temper your enthusiasm. The Steelers have won three playoff games over the last 10 seasons and with better all-around teams than the Steelers will field in 2021. They will be competitive but this isn't a final run at the Super Bowl roster for Roethlisberger.

This doesn't fix the real problem

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

All the talk about the return of Roethlisberger will make the team more competitive but we all understand the issues of this team run much deeper. Until the Steelers fix their problems along the offensive line and at running back, Roethlisberger's production is going to be limited and this will mean another year of unrealized expectations.

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