On his weekly radio show this week, Ben Roethlisberger stirred up some controversy by making a comment about “if” there would be a “next season” for the Pittsburgh quarterback.

Of course, I believe that Ben will be back (and even quote him saying in the same breath that his reflections during the offseason doesn’t mean “he won’t be back”) but another thought popped into my mind following one of the most subjective and controversial articles I read about the Steelers quarterback several weeks ago.

In that article (or “hit piece” as I’ve called it) Sports Illustrated’s S.L. Price talked with Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey about Big Ben.

Pouncey had many things to say, much like two soldiers who would go to war for one another. But it was another line by Pouncey that caught my eye, and more so now given Ben’s statements:

“I say all the time: The moment he walks away, I’m walking right behind him.”

That should all give us reason to pause: if Ben walks away tomorrow, would Maurkice do the same?

I think part of Pouncey’s comment was coincidence, and another convenience.

On one hand, Price painted his article as Roethlisberger being the most polarizing player in the NFL. What else would you say about a person for whom you have a great deal of respect and admiration? Personally, I have many friends for whom I’ve said I would take a bullet for. I’m sure those reading this feel the same about others close in their life.

Pouncey realizes that Sports Illustrated is digging for dirt, and he’s going to lengths to tell them about Ben’s character. “If he goes, I go.”

It’s admirable.

On the other hand, it’s also practical.

Pittsburgh signed Maurkice Pouncey to one of the richest deals at his position, back in 2014. The extension keeps the Pro Bowl center in the Steel City through the 2019 season.

Ben Roethlisberger’s contract?

Also expires in 2019.

If Ben were to play out his entire contract, and retire without any further extensions or new deals, then yes, I could see Pouncey following in his footsteps.

Think of it this way: Maurkice was drafted in 2010, and he will have played 10 seasons in the NFL through 2019. 10 years is an entirety in pro football, and center is considered one of those positions that are tough on the body, though many at the position do play into their mid-30’s.

In 2019, Maurkice will be 30 years old.

Age and money aside, there are only two other things besides Ben, which might persuade Pouncey to walk away at young age (maybe even younger than 30). That would be his health, and winning a Super Bowl.

Pouncey lacks the latter, a Super Bowl ring, robbed of even playing in the big game during his Pro Bowl rookie season after injuring his ankle in the AFC Championship game. Winning, or much less getting to experience playing in a Super Bowl, may be enough to keep the center going a few years longer.

But that also depends on Ben. If Ben were to walk away, there’s no doubt the Steelers chances of making it to the Super Bowl dwindle dramatically. That’s where a young, healthy, and wealthy, Maurkice Pouncey could walk off into the sunset. Nowadays players are retiring younger, after much has been made of concussions and other health issues linked to the physicality of football.

New York Jets left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson retired last April, at age 32, after starting every game in his career. He was apparently in good health, but his team wanted him to take a pay cut. Rather than do that, he walked away from over $10 million in salary to enter an early retirement.

Detroit Lions wide receiver “Megatron” Calvin Johnson also retired early, at the age of 30. Johnson was a dominant force for many years in the league, and may have broken several records en route to a Hall of Fame career, but decided that it was the right moment to call it quits.

The trend could continue this offseason as well, and as more players retire in 2017 and 2018, at an early age, this could serve as a blueprint for others to get out while they are ahead.

Maurkice has had a few major injuries throughout his short tenure in the NFL, and no doubt that could weigh in on his thought process.

We’ll have to wait and see if Maurkice would be willing to step aside and leave $26.7 million on the table by not playing professional football. Unlike Ben, Pouncey just started making the big bucks in 2016, when his new contract kicked in (and by big bucks, I mean being paid in the top five of his team, unlike Ben, who has been getting paid handsomely for years).

For what it’s worth, I do believe that Pouncey is telling the truth, and that he may decide to step down when his quarterback does as well.

Yet, I have no reason to think that moment will occur in 2017.