The Facts: Roethlisberger's return to the field is nearing an important checkpoint. HC Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday the franchise quarterback is approaching a "significant" date in his elbow rehab. "I know he's due for an update around the first of February that will be significant in terms of mapping out what's next," Tomlin said.

Diehards Line: The Steelers' 2019 ambitions were undercut by Roethlisberger's season-ending elbow injury, which required surgery and forced Pittsburgh to turn to Mason Rudolph in Week 2 and, eventually, to Devlin "Duck" Hodges. An 8-8 finish and a second straight winter spent out of the playoffs followed. Roethlisberger turns 38 in March and will approach his 17th season while under a contract that runs through 2021. The agreement includes a dead cap number of $12.5 million in the final year of the deal, a tolerable number to carry if Pittsburgh turns to a younger signal-caller on a rookie deal by that point.