Pittsburgh Steelers Rumors: Tim Tebow Could Join Team To Help Until Ben Roethlisberger’s Return

The Pittsburgh Steelers are rumored to be losing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a while, but Tim Tebow could emerge as an unconventional option to help bridge the team through to his return.

Roethlisberger was hurt in Sunday’s 38-35 win over the Oakland Raiders, injuring his left foot after going down for a sack. He had to be helped off the field, and was later taken from Heinz Field for further examination.

UH OH. Ben Roethlisberger being helped off the field in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/ciy1rJevls

— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) November 8, 2015

Rumors on Sunday night indicate that Ben Roethlisberger suffered a sprained foot, an injury that would keep him out for several weeks.

Report: Ben Roethlisberger expected to be out ‘a few weeks’ with foot injury https://t.co/Kdoj0ql1e0 pic.twitter.com/I0Y2yynYoI

— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) November 8, 2015

With Roethlisberger out, the team could have a problem with its quarterback depth, with a big question mark behind new starter Landry Jones.

There had been rumors earlier this year that the Pittsburgh Steelers could turn to Tim Tebow. Back when Roethlisberger first went down with a knee injury, the team slid Michael Vick into the starting role but saw him struggle.

The 36-year-old Vick looked shaky in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens, including some key missed passes.

“We had chances to win the game,” he said, via the Sporting News. “I had plays I could have made but didn’t.”

“In the fourth quarter, I thought… I really thought that we kind of sealed the deal. Hey, things happen in this league. We’ve all got to find ways to fix it. If you don’t you won’t last long in this league.

“Ultimately, I think at the end of the day, that fourth-and-1 pass (to Brown has) still got to be made, somehow, some way. That’s it.”

A hamstring injury and ineffective play pushed Vick to the bench and led the Steelers to start Landry Jones. While it seems the team is content to go back to Jones while Roethlisberger is again rehabbing, they may need to look to more depth, especially if Roethlisberger is out for a while.

That is where Tim Tebow could come in. Though he was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles before the season, Tebow has remained in playing shape and has been linked to the team before. When Roethlisberger originally went down, SportsBlog.com noted that Tebow would seem to be a logical pick up.

“If Vick goes down, then Tim Tebow could help the Steelers running game because a running quarterback actually helps open lanes for running backs. Of course the Steelers high octane passing attack would suffer with Tim Tebow at the helm but Tebow would be a good fit to backup Michael Vick if Ben is done for the season. I don’t think the Steelers are comfortable with Landry Jones at quarterback or they would not have signed Michael Vick to start with.”

The upcoming stretch could be key to the Steelers season. Though the win put them at 5-4, the Steelers are likely out of contention for the division behind the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers are part of a crowded wild card picture, and a few losses could leave them out of contention entirely. Quarterback depth may be a major concern this week.

The Pittsburgh Steelers rumors could ultimately come down to how much faith the team has in Michael Vick. If they can trust him to fill in should Jones — and if Vick is recovered enough from a hamstring tear — then they may hold pat and make no changes. But if there is as much hesitation in Vick as it appears, then the Pittsburgh Steelers could end up being the team to revive Tim Tebow’s career.

[Images via Brett Carlsen/Getty Images]