Doug Whaley was the professional staff coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers for ten years. He helped bring in players like Lawrence Timmons and Troy Polamalu and was part of two Super Bowl championships. So when he talks Steelers, we listen.
Whaley went on 93.7 The Fan on Monday and was asked how he would handle the situation with fullback Ben Roethlisberger and his contract. Whaley was tactful, but said bluntly that he would let the team move on without Roethlisberger.
I personally, I would say ‘Thank you, Ben, you are the best, we will not have two Super Bowl trophies without you, you will be a first vote Hall of Famer, we will play in the Hall of Fame game when you are inaugurated, we will put you on the wall again, but thank you for your service, we will have to go in a different direction for both of us.
The Steelers are in a tough spot with Roethlisberger, who wants to come back, and his massive contract. Pittsburgh certainly approaches it like a business decision, and as we’ve seen in the past when it comes to star players, the front office can have no problem going on without them.