Todd Haley to Steelers: Why Ben Roethlisberger Should Embrace His New OC

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to bounce back from their disappointingly early exit from the NFL playoffs and return to Super Bowl contention, they'll need Ben Roethlisberger to buy into Todd Haley's system next season.

According to Mark Carman of 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City, the former Kansas City Chiefs head coach will join Mike Tomlin's staff as the Steelers' offensive coordinator, a position since vacated by Bruce Arians, who "retired" all the way to the Indianapolis Colts.

Big Ben was distraught after Arians was allowed to walk once his contract expired at the end of the season. Arians joined the Steelers' staff in 2004, the same year Roethlisberger was drafted, and was in Pittsburgh for each of the team's three most recent Super Bowl appearances.

It's tough to fault Roethlisberger's dissatisfaction, given the considerable success he and the Steelers enjoyed on Arians' watch.

That being said, Big Ben won't do himself or his team any good by crying over owner Art Rooney's spilt milk. Arian's out, Haley's in and Roethlisberger has no choice but to get used to it.

"It" of course being an offense predicated more on the run and less on the pass.

This should actually be a good thing for Roethlisberger. Sure, he won't be throwing the ball as much with Haley calling the plays, but given how bad his offensive line has been and the severe beating Big Ben has taken over the years as a result, that should be a welcome change for him. No longer will he have to stand tall in the pocket 30 or 40 times per game while opposing pass-rushers bear down on him.

Not that Roethlisberger should necessarily be pleased that his role in the offense will be somewhat diminished, but rather that Haley's run-first philosophy might actually be a good thing for Big Ben and, as a result, the Steelers as a whole.

Follow @J0shMart1n