As Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger awaits the 2:00 p.m. E.T. announcement from Ocmulgee (Ga.) Judicial Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright regarding whether Roethlisberger will be charged with sexual assault, Ben has another item on the calendar that could cause considerable sweating and fretting.
Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that Roethlisberger and will meet this week with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Two weeks ago, Goodell said that he plans to meet with Roethlisberger at the “appropriate time.” The fact that the meeting has been set for later this week could be interpreted as an indication by the league office that it believes the criminal case will indeed be closed on Monday.
ESPN reported on Friday night that Bright will not be charging Roethlisberger. The abrupt and unexpected trade of receiver Santonio Holmes raises the stakes for Roethlisberger, considerably.
If Roethlisberger isn’t charged, it’s unclear whether the Personal Conduct Policy authorizes a suspension. We recently broke down the relevant language, concluding that a suspension more likely would come from the Steelers. The fact that the Steelers have launched a new approach to bad behavior via the Holmes trade only strengthens our opinion in this regard.