Roethlisberger focused on making playoffs, not end of Steelers' career

Ben Roethlisberger isn't worried about the end of his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers amid reports that he's playing in his final season with the team.

Instead, he's focusing on guiding the Steelers to another playoff run.

"I'm living right here, right now," Roethlisberger said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "We've got to make a run. We've got to play good football. We've got to play great football. That starts right here with me. I can't get caught looking at the end because I need to focus on right here, this week."

Roethlisberger reportedly has told former teammates and some within the organization that he expects 2021 to be his final year with the club. It was also reported that it's unlikely he would continue with a different team.

The Steelers have won just one of their last five games. At 6-6-1, Pittsburgh is on the outside of the AFC's playoff picture, but Roethlisberger isn't giving up hope.

"Sometimes the other team is better, or they make a play and you don't," Roethlisberger said. "Just because you're losing a football game or the season isn't going the way you want it to doesn't mean these guys don't have heart and don't love it and aren't passionate for it. It doesn't mean that."

He added: "I just want to see that guys are never going to quit."

The Steelers will have their work cut out for them if they want to make the playoffs for a second consecutive season. They finish their campaign with matchups against the Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens - opponents with a combined record of 33-19.

Roethlisberger has thrown 11 touchdowns to three interceptions over his last five games. He owns a 92.1 passer rating for the year with five game-winning drives.

Copyright (C) 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.