By Logan Leslie
SteelerNation.com
Last season, we saw many incredible performances from Ben Roethlisberger. With a final stat line of a 67% completion percentage, 5,129 yards and 34 touchdowns to 16 interceptions, he continues to cement himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The opening odds for MVP show Roethlisberger at +4000, odds many smart bettors will find favorable. In 15 seasons in the NFL, Big Ben has not yet won an MVP award, but should he win in 2019, he would cement his legacy and his status as a future first ballot Hall of Famer.
Roethlisberger will enter the 2019 without his number one target Antonio Brown and begin his second season without security blanket Le'Veon Bell. This has caused many experts to predict a large drop off in production in his 16th season. What cannot be measured by these so called experts is his passion and determination to win. The greatness we have witnessed from Ben in his career is not a product of Brown or Bell, it's actually quite the contrary. The greatness of Antonio Brown was greatly aided by Ben's ability to extend plays and make incredible throws in key situations. Bell's greatness was aided by the substantial threat of the passing game and Ben's ability to read a defense. In today's NFL, the flashy players receive the credit which has created a stigma that Ben is no longer elite and has only been productive due to his supporting cast.
The drama with Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell has also created a lot of bad publicity for Ben which has ultimately been a huge distraction for himself and the team in recent years. As a step in the right direction, Roethlisberger has recently decided to move away from his radio show for the 2019 season and has spent more time with his receivers this off-season to build chemistry.
The combination of JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Ryan Switzer and Donte Moncrief at wide receiver and James Conner, Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell at running back will be more than enough fire power on offense. We will see a revitalized Big Ben, who will be eager to prove the doubters wrong and become a better leader in 2019. If you're eager to place a bet on the 2019 NFL season, the +4000 odds for Big Ben would be a great place for some extra pocket cash.
Do you agree with our assessment of Big Ben? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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