Could the Pittsburgh Steelers Team Culture Push Ben Roethlisberger to retire?

Maturity and organizational issues?

The frustrations at the obvious lack of maturity within the roster from Roethlisberger is tangible.

He nearly retired this offseason and you can bet that the lack of leadership and accountability within the locker room had a lot to do with that.

Antonio Brown’s ill advised Facebook live video of Mike Tomlin using rather colorful language when talking about the Patriots ahead of their AFC championship showdown last season is exactly the kind of headache Ben wants to avoid.

The videoing of Tomlin’s speech was down right stupid. But, the content of the speech also shines a negative light on the locker room. Tomlin has often been criticized for his highly emotional coaching style and has been called out for not being buttoned up on his x’s and o’s all the time.

This was evident in that AFC Championship game in New England in which the Patriots no huddle offense took the Steelers totally off guard.

Players seemed surprised and admitted being unprepared for that situation:

"“We didn’t really anticipate it like that,” Bud Dupree said. “It was more in their approach to the no huddle, the checks they made right away. It was a great job by Tom Brady.”"

This kind of under preparation is what led Terry Bradshaw to say on Tomlin:

"“I don’t think he’s a great coach at all…He’s really a great cheerleader guy. I don’t know what he does, but I don’t think he’s a great coach at all.” The loss also prompted Roethlisberger to call out the coaching staff: “They out-coached us, they out-played us, they out-executed us and the better team won the football game,” he said. “It’s frustrating, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”"

The frequency with which the franchise cornerstone has taken to the media to express his displeasure at various issues with the team and coaching staff over the past year or so is quite startling.

He also called out his entire team after a loss to the Cowboys in November last year saying:

"“We are undisciplined and not accountable,” Roethlisberger said. “That’s why (the Cowboys) are one of the best in the business and we’re not right now.”"

His frustration at not having a mature, focused team and coaching staff is palpable. That likely stems from his knowledge that he doesn’t have many good years left.

Tomlin is undoubtedly a great motivator and prepares his team excellently to play at home. But, they are often lethargic on the road and against bad teams and the stats back it up.

Between 2012 and 2016 the Steelers lost 12 games against sub .500 teams. They often play down to the competition and are by far the most emotionally fragile and inconsistent team in the league.

Tomlin has also had his public issues. Namely, when he entered the field of play and appeared to attempt to trip Jacoby Jones during a 73-yard return in 2013.