The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the NFL’s worst teams to start the 2021 season, and most of their issues stem from the anemic offense. Ben Roethlisberger has been particularly bad, but that doesn’t mean a quarterback change is coming anytime soon.

Pittsburgh won’t bench Roethlisberger this season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Steelers will have to figure out a way to improve with the 39-year-old under center before their playoff hopes slip away.

Since upsetting the Buffalo Bills in the season opener, the Steelers have lost three games in a row. The defending AFC North champs are in sole possession of last place and the only team in the division that doesn’t have a 3-1 record.

Roethlisberger has been at the center of Pittsburgh’s problems, playing like a quarterback in the twilight of his career. The two-time Super Bowl champion struggled down the stretch last year as the Steelers lost four of their final five games. Things have gotten worse in his 18th NFL season.

With a 78.9 passer rating and 6.1 yards per attempt, Roethlisberger ranks dead last among quarterbacks who have made at least three starts and aren’t in their rookie season. Roethlisberger’s four interceptions are tied for the most among non-rookies.

Roethlisberger has completed 64.1% of his passes, a low number, considering his average completion only travels 4.3 yards in the air, according to Next Gen Stats. Steelers rookie Najee Harris leads all running backs with 34 targets, many of which have come behind the line of scrimmage.

Between his history with the franchise and Pittsburgh’s other options, Roethlisberger’s job appears to be safe for now. The Steelers’ No. 2 quarterback, Mason Rudolph, has a career 82.7 passer rating in 15 games, nine of which he started. Third-string quarterback Dwayne Haskins was a disaster in two seasons with the Washington Football Team, throwing 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Health could be a factor in Roethlisberger's inability to throw down the field. He missed Wednesday because of hip and pec injuries.

Unless something changes with the future Hall of Famer, Pittsburgh is headed for its first losing season since drafting Roethlisberger in 2004.

The Green Bay Packers defeated Pittsburgh 27-17 last week in a game that followed a familiar script for the Steelers. All three of the Steelers’ losses have come by more than eight points. Pittsburgh’s defense has prevented the team from getting blown out completely, but a stale offense doesn’t allow the Steelers to mount any kind of comeback.

Even in their 23-16 victory over the Bills, the Steelers won on the strength of a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown. Pittsburgh has the only offense in the NFL that hasn’t been responsible for more than 17 points in any of their four games.

The Steelers are tied for 29th in the league with 16.8 points per game. Pittsburgh is 27th in yards per game and 26th in yards per play.

The Steelers host the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger
Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks with Ben Roethlisberger #7 during the game against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field on Sept. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Joe Sargent/Getty Images
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