Art Rooney II: Steelers are open to extending Ben Roethlisberger past 2021 https://t.co/tHR17BraL8
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 3, 2020
Steelers Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has said this offseason that he still has “it in the tank” and, with that, wants to win more Lombardi trophies for his team before calling it a career.
Roethlisberger, 38, has a contract that currently expires after the 2021 season. According to Over the Cap, his 2020 salary-cap charge is $23.75 million, or 12 percent of the Steelers cap.
In speaking with Ed Bouchette of The Athletic, Steelers president Art Rooney II said he’s open to the possibility of extending Roethlisberger if the quarterback is up to it.
“Obviously, after the season we’ll evaluate his contract situation along with other contract decisions we have to make,’’ Rooney told Bouchette. “But if Ben feels like playing longer and it looks like he’s capable of doing it, certainly that would be a great scenario.”
“We’re excited what we see from Ben so far in this training camp,’’ Rooney said. “We’re looking forward to what he can do this season. Certainly, his arm strength looks to be as good as it’s ever been. That’s a good sign.”
In 2021, Big Ben’s big salary-cap charge will be $41.25 million, or 19 percent of the Steelers cap. He’s due a salary of $4 million with a roster bonus of $15 million. However, the Steelers could potentially lower that hit by offering Roethlisberger a new contract and turning that $19 million into a signing bonus that would pro-rate the cap hit over the life of the contract.
If Roethlisberger can attack the 2020 season and lead his team to playoff contention, dare I say, the Super Bowl, he could very well be pulling a Tom Brady and playing for the Steelers in his 40s.
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