Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger planning to play in 2021

The Steelers could be on the hook for a massive cap hit if Ben Roethlisberger comes back in 2021.

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According to ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger plans to return in 2021 for his 18th NFL season.

Roethlisberger is currently on his 2020 comeback tour after missing almost all of the 2019 season with an elbow injury. The Steelers currently sits at 11-2 and has a chance to lock up the AFC North with a win on Monday night over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Some of this need for re-assurance comes from Roethlisberger’s own comments earlier in the season when Big Ben said he would hang up his cleats if he didn’t think he could still play. Obviously, Roethlisberger was just being dramatic but since this isn’t the first time he’s made a declaration like this before.

Roethlisberger has $41 million reasons to play in 2021. That happens to be his cap hit. With NFL rules for restructuring being what they are, the amount of cap relief Pittsburgh would be able to get is limited. The team could do a full contract extension and just backload it giving the Steelers an out after the 2021 season. Or Roethlisberger could just retire. Releasing Roethlisberger before next season would leave $22.25 million in dead money on the books.

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