The coincident timing of Ben Roethlisberger's latest off-the-field troubles with the upcoming NFL Draft could signal the end of Roethlisberger's tenure in Pittsburgh.

With the NFL Draft coming up in one week, hype surrounding what could be one of the most important draft picks for the St. Louis Rams franchise has coincided with a high level of speculation in recent days regarding the possibility that the Steelers may be seeking to trade all-pro quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the very near future.

One possible trade scenario in which the Steelers organization has reportedly expressed interest would send Ben Roethlisberger to the Rams in exchange for the top overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, according to columnist Jason La Cantora of NFL.com.  Such a move would presumably result in the acquisition of NCAA standout quarterback Sam Bradford for the Steelers.  Bradford—who passed for 50 touchdowns and a 180.84 QB rating in 14 games in 2008—is considered by some potential suitors to be as promising a prospect as any for a potential franchise quarterback.

Although it was announced on Monday that Ben Roethlisberger would not be charged in his latest case of sexual assault allegations, the consequent climate of tension within the Steelers organization and the coincident timing of Roethlisberger’s off-the-field troubles with the upcoming NFL Draft could create a very real possibility that the Steelers may in fact trade Roethlisberger if they believe Bradford is truly a safer bet for the future of the organization.