Especially in the era of easy free agency, it’s exceedingly rare for one player to spend his entire career with one team. When you get into second, third, and fourth contracts, you will see players move around a lot.
Which makes Ben Roethlisberger’s time with the Pittsburgh Steelers especially remarkable.
Selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft out of Miami (Ohio), Roethlisberger has only known one NFL team. He’s finishing up his 18th season with the Steelers. How rare is it for one player to spend that much time with one team? Only five players in NFL history have played more than 18 seasons with one team without ever moving to a different locale:
OT/K Lou Groza, who played from 1946-1959 and 1961-1967 with the Cleveland Browns (Groza retired in 1960 and did some scouting for the Browns before he was urged to return by new team owner Art Modell).
K Jason Hanson, who played from 1992-2012 with the Detroit Lions.
CB Darrell Green, who played from 1983-2002 for the Washington Redskins.
OT Jackie Slater, who played for the Los Angeles and St. Louis Rams from 1976-1995.
OL Bruce Matthews, who played for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1983-2001.
All but Hanson on this list are Pro Football Hall of Famers, and Roethlisberger will certainly join their company five years after he retires. This week, Roethlisberger pointed to Monday’s game against the Browns as his final home game for his only NFL team.
“I don’t ever speak in definites or guarantees,” Roethlisberger said, per the team’s official website. “That’s just not what I’ve ever done or who I am. But, looking at the bigger picture, I would say that all signs are pointing to this could be it. Regular season, that is. I know we still have a chance to potentially get a playoff game there if things fall our way and we take care of business and things have to happen.
“But in the grand scheme of things, in terms of regular season, signs are pointing that way this could be it.”
As far as whether Roethlisberger is retiring or would be willing to play for another team, the quarterback left that up in the air.
“I’ll address the definite answer at some point down the road, but like I said, my focus is winning this game. If it is indeed my last regular season game there, it’s going to be one of the most important games of my career. I’ve been so blessed to play in front of the best fans in all of sports, the best venue. What better way to have a last regular season potential game than on Monday Night Football against a division opponent?
“It’s just special. I got a lot of focus on still for this year and this game and that’s got to be it right now.”
Roethlisberger currently ranks sixth all-time in pass attempts (8,353), sixth in pass completions (5,386), fifth in passing yards (63,721), eighth in passing touchdowns (416), 23rd in interceptions (209), first in sacks (551), and 14th in passer rating (93.8).