It is the worst-case scenario for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger, 37, will need season-ending surgery on his elbow after leaving Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks early.

“Ben Roethlisberger had an MRI on his right elbow Sunday evening and it was determined by the Steelers’ medical team that surgery will be required,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement on Monday.

“We expect the surgery will be scheduled for this week. He will be placed on our Reserve/Injured List and is out for the season.”

ESPN reported that the Steelers knew that Roethlisberger was having issues with his elbow prior to the game. Mason Rudolph will become Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback and the team is expected to sign Devlin Hodges off their practice squad to be the backup.

Roethlisberger left the Steelers’ 28-26 loss to the Seahawks in the second quarter and didn’t return. Rudoph, who was drafted in the third round by the Steelers in 2018, completed 12 of 19 passes for 112 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in relief.

Since getting drafted by the Steelers in the first round (11th overall) back in 2004, Roethlisberger has led Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl titles, including becoming the youngest Super Bowl-winning quarterback in NFL history in 2005.

He’s led the NFL in passing yards in 2014 and 2018 and has earned six Pro Bowl appearances.