Ben Roethlisberger reportedly plans to retire after 2021 season

Ben Roethlisberger has told teammates and people within the Steelers organization that he expects this to be his final season with Pittsburgh, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

While Schefter's report doesn't mention retirement, it does say that it's "highly unlikely" that Roethlisberger would play for another team in 2022. The report also says that the quarterback has made it known that he "never would want to play anywhere other than Pittsburgh." 

Roethlisberger, 39, has been the Steelers' starting quarterback since Pittsburgh made him the 11th pick of the 2004 NFL Draft. He has won two Super Bowls with the Steelers, earned six trips to the Pro Bowl and is the franchise's all-time leader in every major passing category. So far in 2021, Roethlisberger has thrown 14 touchdown passes and six interceptions.

The Steelers drafted quarterback Joshua Dobbs with a fourth-round pick in 2017 and Mason Rudolph with a third-round pick in 2018. Both are still with Pittsburgh, and Rudolph has started in 10 career games, but neither has given much indication that he would be capable of taking over as a future starter. The Steelers also have former Washington first-round pick Dwayne Haskins on the roster.

Pittsburgh is currently 5-5-1 and faces the Baltimore Ravens in a pivotal AFC North matchup in Week 13.