Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks to pass during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger informed the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday that he will be back for a 14th season.
Days after the Steelers lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game in January, Roethlisberger hinted he might have played his last game.
Big Ben, as expected, officially put to rest any speculation about his future with an announcement on Twitter.
“Informed the team I am looking forward to my 14th season. Steeler Nation will get my absolute best! — Ben,” Roethlisberger tweeted.
Roethlisberger, who has been the team’s starter since being drafted in the first round in 2004, left the door open about retirement following the Steelers’ defeat to the Patriots.
Roethlisberger, who turned 35 last month, threw for 3,819 yards and 29 touchdowns with 13 interceptions over 14 games in 2016. He is the Steelers’ all-time leader in passing yards (46,814) and touchdowns (301) in 185 career games over his 13 seasons in Pittsburgh.
— New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is excited to be throwing to a towering target again with the team’s recent signing of free agent wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
Manning compared the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Marshall’s size to that of his former big target, Plaxico Burress, who helped the Giants to a Super Bowl win during the 2007 season.
“I think Plaxico was kind of the last one similar to that size,” Manning told the New York Post on Thursday night before being honored at the National Football Foundation. “They can be open when they’re not really open. You don’t want to get into a habit, it’s not a jump-ball but you can throw him open. He’s been in lots of offenses and he gets open a lot of different ways, very disciplined in his route-running and understanding concepts. I think he’ll be good for that receiver room and in our locker room, having that veteran presence.”
The 36-year-old Manning threw to Marshall for the first time earlier this week at Duke University during a passing session attended by other Giants receivers.
— The San Francisco 49ers released Tramaine Brock, one day after the cornerback was arrested in Santa Clara, Calif., in connection to a domestic incident.
Brock, 28, was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of felony domestic violence and booked into Santa Clara County Jail. His bail was set at $50,000 and he was released Friday afternoon, according to jail records.
Santa Clara police found “visible injuries” on Brock’s girlfriend after responding to a domestic violence call, according to the Sacramento Bee. Police described the woman’s injuries as “minor” and she received no medical attention.
The 5-foot-10, 197-pound Brock, who started all 31 games he played for the 49ers over the past two seasons, recorded 59 tackles, an interception and 14 passes defensed in 2016. He has played his entire seven-year NFL career in San Francisco after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2010.
— The 49ers signed linebacker Jayson DiManche to a one-year deal.
DiManche, 26, most recently was with the Detroit Lions.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound DiManche originally signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Illinois in 2013. In two seasons with the Bengals he appeared in 28 games (one start) and registered 28 tackles and two forced fumbles.
