Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert still doesn't know if quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will return next season.

He'd sure like him back - for a long time. Still, he's contemplating contingency plans.

''I hope he plays forever,'' Colbert said. ''Chances are he will extend his career, we don't know how long it will go. But you always have to be prepared to select a quarterback at some point, and he's aware of that. We've talked about it. He understands that if we add a guy into the mix, we'll do that at some point. ''

Earlier this year, Roethlisberger said he needed time to think about his future before coming back for a 14th season.