Ben Roethlisberger and the end of a quarterback era

EThere has been a recurring joke in the world of American football over the past few days that has centered on Ben Roethlisberger. It was about all the different types of playmaker positions that are currently assembled in the National Football League (NFL), and the joke, loosely translated, goes something like this: “We could have quarterbacks like Justin Herbert in the play- offs and watch him sprint across the field and throw spectacular 70-yard passes, but instead we have to see Ben Roethlisberger standing motionless on the turf again and throwing beer mugs into the end zone.”

It is a fact that Roethlisberger actually likes to have a beer from time to time. That he also throws the jugs around, not. And not twice on the field. But there is some truth to this joke, albeit figuratively. The differences that have prevailed for some time, especially in the athletic field in the position of quarterback, the most important of all in football, are huge.

The game of the NFL has changed

On the one hand, there are the wild youngsters, the playmakers, who not only throw excellently (which is actually their primary task), but can also sprint almost like an Olympic standard, outwit opponents, and develop tricks and tips. This type includes the aforementioned Herbert, 23-year-old quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers and who narrowly failed to qualify for the playoffs on the last NFL game day, whereupon Roethlisberger, who actually wanted to end his career, surprisingly played with the Pittsburgh Steelers got a season and career extension.

Another player of this type? Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, against whom the Steelers lost with a bang over the weekend and thus finally said goodbye to the race for the Super Bowl.

And on the other hand, there are those quarterbacks who embody almost the complete opposite of what characterizes Herbert or Mahomes. Roethlisberger is one of them, if not their prototype: 1.96 meters tall, 109 kilograms in weight and blessed with the speed and agility of a steamroller (figuratively, of course).

But for the rest of his career, which lasted 18 years, he did what is actually his primary task, with impressive sovereignty: throwing passes (or: “beer mugs”) precisely into the opposing end zone. That was successful: Roethlisberger, now 39 years old, won the Super Bowl twice.

That era is now over, at least there are many indications that it is, and with it the era of a quarterback type that will not return anytime soon in the NFL. The young guns have changed the game and with it the demands placed on new, even younger playmakers.

Therein lies an opportunity: Much as it’s a pity for the “beer mug” generation, it’s paving the way for a faster, higher-pitched NFL. This can already be seen: Unlike Herbert, Mahomes can be seen in the play-offs. After the victory over Roethlisberger also continue.