28-year old Ben Roethlisberger sat out the first four games of this year to a league suspension because he’s a bozo off the field. When he returned it looked like he didn’t miss a beat. Roethlisberger played in 12 games for the Steelers this season and he completed 240 of 389 passes (61.7%) for 3,200 yards with 17 TD passes and 5 INTs (97.0 QB Rating). He also carried the ball 33 times for 176 yards (5.3 ypc) with 2 TD runs this year. Roethlisberger has now played in 99 games in his first seven years with the Steelers and he has completed 1,766 of 2,800 (63.1%) passes for 22,502 yards with 144 TD passes and 86 INTs (92.5 QB Rating). He has also carried the ball 261 times for 874 yards (3.3 ypc) with 14 TD runs in his NFL career. Roethlisberger almost ruined his career in the off-season so he needs to behave off the field or his career could be cut short.
26-year old Dennis Dixon is a QB the Steelers want to develop into Roethlisberger’s long term backup. Dixon played in 2 games for the Steelers this year and he completed 22 of 32 passes (68.8%) for 254 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 INT (79.4 QB Rating). Dixon also carried the ball 5 times for 32 yards (6.4 ypc) this season. His season ended early due to knee surgery but he should be ready for training camp (if there is one next year). Dixon has now played in 4 games in his first 3 years with the Steelers and he has completed 35 of 59 passes (59.3%) for 402 yards passing with 1 TD pass and 2 INTs (71.4 QB Rating). Dixon has also carried the ball 10 times for 56 yards (5.6 ypc) with 1 TD run in his NFL career.
36-year old Charlie Batch stepped up while Big Ben was out of action. Batch played in 3 games for the Steelers this year and he completed 29 of 49 passes (59.2%) for 352 yards with 3 TD passes and 3 INTs (76.2 QB Rating). Batch also carried the ball 7 times for 30 yards (4.3 ypc) this year. Batch has now played in 75 games in his NFL career and he has completed 848 of 1,510 passes (56.2%) for 10,402 yards with 60 TD passes and 47 INTs (77.9 QB Rating). Batch has also carried the ball 169 times for 639 yards (3.8 ypc) with 6 TD runs in his NFL career.
30-year old Byron Leftwich will be Roethlisberger’s backup in the playoffs with Dixon & Batch both out due to injury. Leftwich made his season debut two weeks ago against the Browns (the regular season finale) and he completed 5 of 7 passes (71.4%) for 42 yards with 0 TD passes and 0 INTs (86.6 QB Rating). Leftwich has now played in 58 games in his NFL career and he has completed 905 of 1,552 passes (58.3%) for 10,260 yards with 58 TD passes and 41 INTs (79.7 QB Rating). Leftwich has also carried the ball 136 times for 384 yards (2.8 ypc) with 9 TD runs in his NFL career.
VERDICT: Roethlisberger & Dixon are both safe for next season. I don’t see the Steelers carrying 4 QBs next season so Batch & Leftwich could be fighting for one roster spot with Batch holding a slight edge.