In Art Rooney’s season-end call with Pittsburgh beat reporters, he said what we’ve all kinda known: Ben Roethlisberger’s $41 million salary-cap hit is not feasible for the Steelers.
“Ben wants to come back,” said Steelers president Art Rooney II on Thursday. “We’ve left that door open. We’ve been up front with Ben in letting him know that we couldn’t have him back under the current contract. He understands we have some work to do there.”
The only way to potentially reduce the cap number is to convert Roethlisberger’s $15 million roster bonus (due in March) into a signing bonus and offer him a new long-term contract. And, even then, it might not lower the cap hit by much.
Roethlisberger, 38, started 15 games this season, passing for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Steelers started the season hot at 11-0 before going 1-4 to end the regular season.
Rooney already said in September that he was open to extending Roethlisberger beyond 2021. If Roethlisberger’s intent to return remains and the two sides come to a deal, Big Ben will be back and, possibly, for the foreseeable future.
Art Rooney II just ended 20-minute call with reporters. Among things he said is Ben Roethlisberger wants to return in 2021, but the Steelers have told him they can't go into the year with a $41 million cap hit.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) January 28, 2021
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