Big Ben returning to Steelers in ’21
PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger is returning for an 18th season with the Steelers and is taking a pay cut to do it.
The team and the two-time Super Bowl winner announced Thursday they have agreed on a new contract that assures the 39-year-old will be back in 2021.
NFL Network and ESPN, both citing anonymous sources, reported that Roethlisberger’s new deal will essentially pay him $14 million this season and adds four voidable years to spread out the dead money.
“I am grateful to be at this stage of my career and more than happy to adjust my contract in a way that best helps the team to address other players who are so vital to our success,” Roethlisberger said in a statement.
“I love this game and love to compete, and I believe in this team and my ability to deliver when called upon. It all starts with great preparation and I am ready to go.”
Roethlisberger passed for 3,803 yards with 33 TDs and 10 interceptions in 15 games in 2020 after missing almost all of 2019 with a right elbow injury.
The Steelers won their first 11 games on their way to a 12-4 record and captured the AFC North title but were stunned at home by the Browns in the first-round of the playoffs thanks in part to four Roethlisberger interceptions.
Steelers President Art Rooney II, coach Mike Tomlin and GM Kevin Colbert all expressed the desire to bring Roethlisberger, stressing the need to do it in a way that gives the Steelers some financial flexibility. The new contract does offer a bit more freedom, but the Steelers are facing several high-profile departures in free agency.
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, outside linebacker Bud Dupree, running back James Conner and left tackle Alejandro Villanueva are among more than a dozen Steelers who will hit the open market this month. Conner and Villanueva are unlikely to be brought back after underwhelming play in 2020. Smith-Schuster and Dupree have likely priced themselves out of a return.
Throw in the retirements of center Maurkice Pouncey and tight end Vance McDonald and the decision to part with offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner — all three of whom have a close relationship with Roethlisberger — and the veteran quarterback will find himself in the midst of an overhaul.
The franchise’s leader in just about every major statistical passing category remains, he was at the controls of an offense that finished last in the NFL in yards rushing and yards per rushing attempt.
Those are numbers the Steelers front office said it will spend the offseason trying to improve the roster.