Ben Roethlisberger and his head coach Mike Tomlin have spent 13 non-losing seasons together. That’s 192 games (including playoffs) and 13,103 snaps.
In a pandemic-stricken sports world where teams with veteran quarterbacks and head coaches have an advantage, this should give the Steelers an edge.
“What can get teams above [the limited offseason]” pondered Good Morning Football’s Peter Schrager. “I think it’s comfort, familiarity and consistency.”
Looking around the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals have the least quarterback-coach experience with rookie Joe Burrow and second-year head coach Zac Taylor. Heck, the Tiger King only just met Taylor for the first time this week. The Cleveland Browns are next with third-year quarterback Baker Mayfield and rookie head coach Kevin Stefanski — they have also only just met. The Baltimore Ravens have third-year quarterback Lamar Jackson and his head coach John Harbaugh.
In 2019, we all witnessed (unfortunately) just how quickly Jackson developed from year one to year two. He had an MVP season and led his team to a 14-2 record, even if he did choke in the playoffs. It’s doubtful he regresses even with no OTAs or minicamp.
In the coming months, we’ll see if Mayfield’s decline in production was due to the “leadership” of head coach Freddie Kitchens or if he’ll be able to return to rookie season form under Stefanski.
And who knows just what the Bengals will get out of Joe Burrow? The college to NFL transition is challenging enough with a complete offseason, let alone a limited one.
Sure, Roethlisberger hasn’t been involved in game action in nearly a year, but he’s heading into his 17th season — he’s a professional and understands every facet of the game inside and out.
“Sometimes the past and what you’ve been through will get you through what you’re about to go through,” said GMFB’s Nate Burleson. As convoluted as that sounds, it does make sense.
“Does Big Ben know what it’s like to get through an offseason working out on his own? Yeah. Does he know what it’s like to miss four preseason games and then start out Week One? Yeah.” The NFL in 2020 will be a veteran’s game, no doubt.
Will the extensive history between Roethlisberger and Tomlin translate into the most wins in the AFC North in 2020? For now, we’ll have to wait and see.
[vertical-gallery id=472908]
[lawrence-related id=470672]