QB opts to retire following 18-year career

Ben Roethlisberger officially announced his retirement via social media Thursday, Jan. 27. (Ben Roethlisberger on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Roethlisberger steps away from the game as arguably the best quarterback in the storied history of the Steelers. He also figures to get a Hall of Fame call sometime in 2027 when he is first eligible to be inducted. Big Ben’s play had fallen off considerably in recent years, but there’s little doubt he was still a better option than Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins. The Steelers may be stuck deciding between those two in 2022 if they strike out in free agency because their first draft pick in April isn’t until No. 20.

Chicago has missed the playoffs in 9 of the last 11 years

Former Colts’ defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is being hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, per sources. (Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Eberflus has spent the last four seasons as the Colts DC. The Bears recently hired former Chiefs executive Ryan Poles to be their GM so it’s a new era in Chicago as they move forward with Justin Fields at quarterback. Chicago has missed the playoffs in 9 of the last 11 years.

Green Bay OC heading to Denver

The #Broncos are finalizing a deal with #Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett to make him their new head coach, per sources.

Contract talks heated up Wednesday night. The #Jaguars planned to interview Hackett again today. Instead, Denver lands its top choice. (Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Hackett was expected to get a head coaching job this season after spending the last three years as the Packers’ offensive coordinator. The speculation will begin immediately regarding Aaron Rodgers and potentially Davante Adams heading to Denver to join their former OC.

Not necessarily retiring, but taking a break

I can confirm via source that Sean Payton is stepping away from coaching. Press conference expected this afternoon. Payton is not necessarily permanently retiring but deciding to take a break after 16 years as Saints coach. No word yet on immediate plans, though sources have told ESPN TV networks are interested. Payton under contract through 2024 so another team would have to trade for him. (Mike Triplett on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Sounds like Payton needs a break. It won’t surprising to see him take a year off, show up on TV during Sunday’s, then get back into coaching the Saints (or somewhere else) for the 2023 season. New Orleans has plenty of issues on offense, including Michael Thomas’ ongoing health issues and a question mark at the quarterback position.

QB cites family time as a major factor in his playing future

Tom Brady on his Let’s Go podcast about his wife and family and football. “It pains her to see me get hit out there. And she deserves what she needs from me as a husband and my kids deserve what they need from me as a dad. (Tampa Bay Times – Rick Stroud)

Nerdy Football Analysis: It is hard to imagine Brady hanging up his cleats following a season in which he led the league in passing yards (5,316) and passing TDs (43), but he has also played in the league about half of his life at this point. He has certainly earned the right to move onto the next stage of his life. Retirement seems unlikely right now, but the 44-year-old appears as if he is going to take his time to decide.