On Monday, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette passed along “several” indications from Hines Ward that the career Steeler has no intentions of retiring after Super Bowl XLV. Bouchette’s Monday story included no quotes from Ward.
His Tuesday story does.
“Whenever the time comes, trust me, I’ll let you guys know,” Ward told reporters after arriving in Dallas early Monday. “I don’t foresee this being my last game.”
Devolving into a block-first receiver and third-down possession option, Ward hasn’t topped 45 receiving yards in the last seven weeks. He’s been outplayed by third-round rookie Emmanuel Sanders and, at times, sixth-rounder Antonio Brown.
If the Steelers win, going out on top might not be such a bad option for Ward, who turns 35 this March. He’ll lose playing time -- and perhaps even his starting job -- to Sanders next season.