Connelly: Time to appreciate Big Ben

You never truly appreciate things until they’re gone.

For a brief moment Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field, that nearly became a reality. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger limped off the field and into the locker room after throwing a third-quarter touchdown to Antonio Brown.

Before the pass, which ESPN’s Trent Dilfer more accurately described as a throw you’d see from a second baseman turning a double play, Roethlisberger was hit in the knee by a Kansas City defender’s leg. The touchdown gave the Steelers a fairly comfortable lead, but that wasn’t the most pressing concern.

That would be the health of the team’s MVP-worthy quarterback. That’s right, Big Ben should be considered for the league’s Most Valuable Player award, and it’s not just because of his career-best numbers.

The image of Bruce Gradkowski warming up on the sideline — and no disrespect to the nine-year backup — should’ve concerned Steelers fans everywhere. If Roethlisberger isn’t under center, Pittsburgh isn’t in the playoffs. Plain and simple.

The two-time Super Bowl champion is putting up the best numbers of his career, setting personal bests in completion percentage (67.4), passing yards (4,635) and QBR (73.5).

If he throws three touchdown passes next week against Cincinnati, he’ll set a new high in TD passes with 33. If he doesn’t throw an interception, he’ll tie the second lowest total of his career with eight.

But above all the gaudy numbers, Roethlisberger has managed to stay healthy the entire season behind an improving offensive line. In fact, Big Ben hasn’t missed a snap in 33 games.

That kind of durability, especially at the quarterback position, is difficult to come by these days. Which is why I question whether or not Roethlisberger is appreciated enough for what he’s still able to do 11 years into his career.

Let’s face it, the Steelers aren’t a playoff team without the stellar play of their quarterback. Running back Le’Veon Bell doesn’t have the breakout season he’s had without a quarterback who’s a threat to dissect a defense’s secondary. He’s helped Brown become one of the most feared receivers in the league and has made Martavis Bryant into a big-play threat.

The public will soon find out just how much the organization appreciates Roethlisberger when he enters the offseason before the final year of his contract. Team President Art Rooney said he plans to give the 32-year-old quarterback a new deal after this season that will keep him in black and gold for the remainder of his career.

Roethlisberger signed an eight-year, $102 million contract in 2008. His average salary has been nearly $15 million per year, but early reports have Big Ben in line for a big payday that could be upwards of $20 million.

Small price to pay for a quarterback who’s given the franchise so much over his career and is still getting it done after 11 seasons of bumps and bruises.

Plus, with Bell and Brown in the prime of their careers, now is not the time for the normally frugal Rooneys to play chicken.

Roethlisberger deserves serious MVP consideration, but don’t expect the Steelers to lobby for their quarterback. More importantly, a win in prime time on Sunday Night Football to close out the 2014 regular season would give Big Ben his fifth AFC North title.

That’s something Steelers fans everywhere can truly appreciate.

Kevin Connelly is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at kconnelly@vindy.com and follow him on Twitter, @Connelly_Vindy.