Pittsburgh Steelers: 2017 Draft Outlook Becoming Clear

Oct 16, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks on in the game against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The latest injury to Ben Roethlisberger is a hard pill to swallow for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It also rams home what their priorities in 2017 must be.

Latest word is the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback suffered a torn meniscus in the loss to the Miami Dolphins in week 6. He is scheduled to undergo surgery. There is no definitive timeline for his return as yet. Most believe it will be just a trim, which could be as little as one lost week. However, typical meniscus recovery centers around 3-4 weeks. If it requires a full repair though he could be out three months. That would almost guarantee he’s done for the season. So yeah. A bad blow for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations this year.

#Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will have surgery tomorrow to trim a torn meniscus, source said (as @RonCookPG reported). Out Sun at least

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 17, 2016

Knowing Big Ben and his insane toughness and healing ability, odds are he’ll be back by Halloween. Still, this doesn’t change the harsh reality of things. Roethlisberger will be 35-years old in 2017. The injuries he’s accumulated over the years likely gives him the body of a 60-year old. Worse yet the Steelers have zero options on the depth chart ready to take his place. Landry Jones is barely a backup and Zach Mettenberger is playing for his third team in two years.

Pittsburgh hasn’t taken a quarterback above the 3rd round since Roethlisberger himself way back in 2004. That’s how good they’ve had it for over a decade. Alas that golden era seems to be drawing to a close. More than ever the front office must be feeling the pull to draft one early in 2017. Current estimates say there could be as many as six players worthy of going in the top two rounds alone.

Could one of them be the potential heir apparent to the best in franchise history? Only Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin can answer that question for sure.