The Steelers threw the ball more than ever before in 2018 and while team president Art Rooney II said it was effective, he'd like to see more of a balanced attack in 2019.
But he'd also like to make sure Ben Roethlisberger is around for that process beyond next season, as well.
Rooney confirmed Wednesday the Steelers will attempt to sign their franchise quarterback to an extension during the offseason, saying he believes Roethlisberger has several good years remaining.
"The good news is that we certainly look around the league now and quarterbacks are playing at a high level in their 40s," Rooney said of Roethlisberger, who turns 37 this offseason. "You wouldn’t have expected that years ago. I feel good about where Ben is at physically, mentally, his ability to be a productive player for multiple years. We feel good about trying to extend his contract."
But, Rooney admitted he'd also like to see Roethlisberger throw the ball less than the league-high 675 times he did last season.
The Steelers threw the ball on 67 percent of their plays. That 2-1 pass-run ratio was the worst in the league and was a big reason the Steelers ranked 31st in running the ball, despite the presence of Pro Bowl running back James Conner.
"I think I’d like to see us be a little more balanced than what we were," Rooney said. "The truth of the matter was, we were pretty successful passing. It’s hard to say it was a problem. But I do think being a little more balanced could be helpful."
Roethlisberger is heading into the final year of a deal that will pay him $12 million in base salary. He will count $23.2 million against the team's salary cap.
That salary cap hit places him 12th among quarterbacks next season.
Roethlisberger openly talked about retirement following the 2016 season but has not done so after the end of the past two seasons.
Two of the quarterbacks in this weekend's conference championship games, New England's Tom Brady and New Orleans' Drew Brees, are in their 40s.
The Steelers have selected quarterbacks Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph in each of the past two drafts with the thought that Roethlisberger won't be around forever. But the team would be quite happy to have Roethlisberger around for the long-term.
"We’d like to extend Ben’s contract. I hate to predict the timing of those things," Rooney said. "That’s on the agenda for this offseason."