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Could Ben Roethlisberger have played last season for the San Francisco 49ers? The retired Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said that the 49ers contacted him last season.
Roethlisberger told Mark Madden of SteelersNow.com that he had discussions with the 49ers about potentially joining San Francisco. He opted not to do so as he said he couldn't envision himself playing for anyone else but the Steelers:
"They were, I think, reaching out maybe just to gauge my interest. I had discussions. ... I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was a small part of me that was intrigued. I could still do it and prove to people that I could still play. At the end of the day, I just can’t see myself in anything other than black and gold.”
It wasn't clear when he said the 49ers contacted him, but they did suffer multiple injuries to their quarterbacks last season.
In Week 2, Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury after being named the starter for the 2022 season.
In Week 13, backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury.
Third-string rookie quarterback Brock Purdy stepped in to finish the season 5-0 as the starter. He led the 49ers to the NFC championship game but suffered an elbow injury in the first quarter that hindered his play for the rest of the game.
The 49ers were blown out 31-7 by the Philadelphia Eagles as a result. If the 49ers had Ben Roethlisberger for their playoff run, could they have made it to the Super Bowl?
Who will start for the San Francisco 49ers at quarterback this season?
The San Francisco 49ers have a big question mark at starting quarterback heading into the 2023 season.
Purdy stepped in and went 7-0, including two playoff victories, as the starter.
Lance was named the starting quarterback heading into the 2022 season, and the season before the 49ers traded three first-round picks for him,
Both quarterbacks are also rehabbing from injuries suffered last season. Whoever is healthier heading into the season could simply start for that reason. It's a good problem to have, but the 49ers will have to figure out who the starter will be for their season opener.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Ben Roethlisberger, Mark Madden and SteelersNow.com and H/T Sportskeeda.
