Steelers, Roethlisberger agree to deal

Ben Roethlisberger is returning for an 18th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is taking a pay cut to do it.

The team and the twotime Super Bowl winner announced Thursday they have agreed on a contract. Financial details were not available, though the Steelers made no secret of the need for Roethlisberger, 39, to take a pay cut to ease some of the burden of his NFLhigh $41.25million salarycap hit scheduled for 2021.

NFL Network reported that Roethlisberger’s deal will essentially pay him $14 million this season and adds four voidable years to spread out the dead money.

Roethlisberger passed for 3,803 yards with 33 touchdowns 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 124 record and captured the AFC North title but were stunned at home by Cleveland in the firstround of the playoff game thanks in part to four Roethlisberger interceptions.

⏩ The New York Giants cut Golden Tate in a move that clears $6.1 million in salary cap space and says goodbye to a wide receiver who never panned out after signing a $37 million contract as a free agent in 2019.

⏩ Linebacker Thomas Davis and tight end Greg Olsen are signing oneday contracts to retire as members of the Carolina Panthers.

Golf: Rory McIlroy had a 55foot putt on the par3 second hole, then ran off five straight birdies for a share of the lead with Corey Conners in the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando at 6under 66. In the group one shot behind McIlroy was Bryson DeChambeau. Cal alum Max Homa, the winner of the Genesis Open on Feb. 21, and Jordan Spieth shot 70.

⏩ Nelly Korda didn’t miss a beat four days after her first LPGA Tour title on U.S. soil, shooting 5under 67 to share the lead at the Drive On Championship in Ocala, Fla.