Former NFL Executive Says The Steelers Should Have Simply Released QB Ben Roethlisberger

Former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum is speaking out about Thursday's announcement that the Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back on a new contract - and he's not in favor of the move.

Tannenbaum, who has been an Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Miami Dolphins as well as the general manager for the New York Jets, tweeted out that Pittsburgh should simply have cut ties with the 39-year-old QB. Instead, the team opted to jump through the hoops of lowering Big Ben's salary to free up the necessary money to make moves this offseason.

As pointed out by Adam Schefter, Ben's contract now will pay him $14 million in 2021 instead of his previous $19 million.

The move will possibly allow the Steelers to bring back one of their two big name free agents, linebacker Bud Dupree, who is working his way back from a torn ACL, or wide out JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has said multiple times that he wants to remain with the Steelers.

Tannenbaum has called Roethlisberger the fourth best QB in the division, however no one has even come close to winning as many games as he has. And if this is indeed the 'farewell tour' for Ben, you can bet he doesn't want to go out the way the team's season ended last year, with an ugly 48-37 home Wild Card loss to Cleveland.