Ben Roethlisberger, after consecutive offseasons that included contemplating retirement, said earlier this month he plans "on playing for three to five more years." The Pittsburgh Steelers longtime quarterback on Tuesday revealed the process that led him to a change of heart.
There has been speculation that Big Ben's newfound desire to continue his career may have been inspired by external forces involving one specific move by the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason: The selection of his heir apparent, Mason Rudolph, in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Roethlisberger, typically as media savvy as they come, made some interesting remarks after the Steelers drafted Rudolph, but has since attempted to walk back some of his more critical comments, up to and including Tuesday, when he said he'll help the rookie acclimate to the NFL.
All that aside, it would certainly appear the 36-year-old signal-caller has rediscovered a love for the game despite his previous flirtations with retirement.