Reports earlier this month indicated the Steelers were expected to discuss an extension with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and club owner Art Rooney II confirmed this week that those talks have indeed begun.
“We’ve already started talking to him and his representative about extending that contract,” Rooney said, according to Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune. “I think Ben has some good years left. I’d still say he’s close to being in the prime of his career.
“Now that we’re seeing quarterbacks around the league that are playing into their 40s,” Rooney added. “I’m not sure there’s any reason that Ben can’t play for several more years. We’re looking forward to that.”
Roethlisberger, 36, is entering the final season of his current deal. He’s scheduled to earn a $12MM base salary and a $5MM roster bonus, and carries a cap charge of $23.2MM. Pittsburgh is among the bottom-10 teams in 2019 cap space, so a Roethlisberger extension would serve not only to lock in the star quarterback for a few more years, but give the Steelers financial breathing room. By handing Roethlisberger a signing bonus which would be spread out cap-wise over the length of his new deal, the Steelers could create extra cap space.
Roethlisberger set career-highs in completions (452), pass attempts (675), passing yards (5,129), and touchdowns (34) this past season. Advanced metrics lauded Roethlisberger’s work, as well, as he finished fourth in Total QBR and eighth in adjusted net yards per attempt. Meanwhile, Roethlisberger ranked fifth in Football Outsiders‘ DYAR, which measures value over a replacement level player, and eighth in DVOA, meaning he was effective on a per-play basis.
Get every nickel you can from Rooney Ben because he has plans to make you the fall guy.
Those QB’s that are playing into their 40’s actually take care of their bodies. They don’t re-gain 20-25 lbs during the season, AFTER losing it in training camp.
Ben isn’t Brady. I don’t see him playing well into his 40’s like Brady has.
So the 1 guy that has threatened to retire a few times is getting a raise, while- the in their primes WR & RB- are leaving. Not the usual Steeler logic I’ve heard in 40 years.
Thoughts of retirement will likely be renewed once Ben sees how much of the offensive load has now been dumped on him. Without those talented weapons his job will only get harder.
None of them deserve what they want.
Extension on his belt?
When QBs are given a “workout” bonus they are generally not expected to do anything more strenuous than break a cracker into a bowl of soup to earn it.
Since he got married he hasn’t been burning calories by chasing young college girls around against their will…
95% of the workload will be on band but not to worry Steeler fans when he screws up he will continue to never take the blame and throw all of his teammates under the bus. But I am sure that is exactly what Pittsburgh wants in a franchise quarterback LOL!
2 Super Bowls, continue to be a contender… absolutely
As long as he’s a Steeler I won’t be a fan of the team.
I’m curious to see who he blames next season without Bell and AB.. Tomlin??? certainly not himself. *Drives away star WR and gets extension* how does that make any sense? Good QB but one of if not the worst leader in the league
It makes sense because it’s not 100% true. You believe everything you hear
He can always go rape another female and throw the entire team under the bus and get away with it. Bell and Brown speak out and they are “ History”. What a joke they have become.
You got to see a preview on which way Ben is heading. He’s gonna be exposed after losing Brown and Bell. I wouldn’t be shocked if he only plays 2 more years. Then he can concentrate on his real talent.
Ben has two super bowls without either bell or brown. However, this team with this talent should have at least one or more super bowl wins. Bell and Brown are elite talents but team comes first.
Ben has been the quarterback on the two super bowl wins with out either brown or bell!