Steelers face long-overdue reboot

Pieces are in place to build around after departure of Big Ben

PITTSBURGH Ben Roethlisberger came back for one more run, wanting a chance for his final performance to not be a lopsided firstround playoff loss.

Even with his closest friends gone. Even with a first-year offensive coordinator. Even knowing he’d have an almost completely rebuilt offensive line. Even with rookies likely to take over in the backfield and at tight end.

The longtime Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and future Hall of Famer’s reward? An unlikely postseason berth and … a lopsided firstround playoff loss.

Pittsburgh’s unwieldy season came to the crashing halt that was practically inevitable in a 42-21 whipping at the hands of Kansas City on Sunday night. The Steelers (9-8-1) arrived at Arrowhead Stadium as the longest shot in the 14team field and played like it.

The issues that plagued them all year — from offensive co-ordinator Matt Canada’s ineffectual play calling to a defence that was consistently drilled on the road — manifested themselves over the final three quarters. Patrick Mahomes did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. It looked an awful lot like a handful of games from earlier in the season, including a 36-10 whipping in the same stadium the day after Christmas.

Roethlisberger’s career likely ended with an 11-yard pass to Zach Gentry as the clock ran out. The 39year-old married father of three met briefly with Mahomes at midfield, saluted the fans in black and gold who stuck around to the bitter end, then walked into the tunnel — and into the next phase of his life.

“Being a husband and father, you never take a day off,” he said. “You’ve got to keep going, and so, as we move from one chapter to the next, it’s going to be different, but it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”

The team he’s leaving behind, maybe not so much. The franchise that had every opportunity to make a clean break after last year’s flameout in the first round against the Browns but opted to bring back Roethlisberger can no longer kick the can down the road.

There are pieces in place to build around. All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt is in his prime and a contender to win his first Defensive Player of the Year award. Rookie running back Najee Harris and rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth look very much like long-term fixtures. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is due a contract extension and AllPro defensive lineman Cam Heyward is a worthy successor to Roethlisberger as the keeper of “The Steeler Way.”

It’s a way that will need some recalibration over the next six months. Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game in five years, the longest drought of any team in the AFC North.

“I take it very personal when we don’t have playoff success,” Heyward said. “I will be back at the drawing board trying to figure out a way if I am on this team.”

Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game in five years, the longest drought of any team in the AFC North