The clock hasn’t struck midnight on Big Ben just yet.

Ben Roethlisberger, the long-time Steelers quarterback who hasn’t played since Week 2 after suffering detached tendons in his elbow against the Seahawks, is planning to be back under center in 2020.

“Contrary to recent reports out there about my football future and my ‘uncertainty’ about playing again,” the 37-year-old tweeted on Christmas morning, “I am working hard and am more determined than ever to come back stronger and better than ever next year!”

The tweet was prompted by a report by ESPN’s Christ Mortensen during “SportsCenter” on Monday, when he said of Roethlisberger, “I’ve talked to people who have spoken with him, and he has some doubt whether he’s really gonna play football again.”

Mortensen then followed up on Twitter.

“Clarity to calm down the masses – the @Steelers are now optimistic Ben Roethlisberger will recover from elbow surgery to reattach three tendons,” Mortensen wrote. “Not cleared to throw yet but he is tracking better and Ben himself wants and expects to play in 2020 and beyond, per sources.”

Roethlisberger, who has reportedly yet to be cleared to throw after tendon surgery, has provided moral support from the sidelines this season. He’s watched as heir apparent Mason Rudolph went on IR with a shoulder injury and undrafted Devlin “Duck” Hodges was given the reins of the offense.

With Pittsburgh at 8-7 and in danger of missing the postseason for a second straight year, Roethlisberger will have to help guide Hodges in a big way.

“Obviously, Ben, playing as long as he has, I’m sure he’s been in some of these must-win games,” Hodges said Wednesday. “I believe they were in a must-win game last year. Mason, obviously being around me. Both those guys, they help me out with little things here and there. It’s good to have those guys around.”