Extending Ben Roethlisberger's contract on Steelers' offseason agenda
Ben Roethlisberger will celebrate his 37th birthday in March, right about the time he could receive a contract extension from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 15-year veteran quarterback has one year left on his deal and historically has received an extension before the new NFL calendar begins. This year, the new league season opens March 13.
Roethlisberger’s contract includes $12 million in base salary and a $5 million roster bonus due in March. His salary cap hit in 2019 will be $23.2 million. Although Roethlisberger could command in excess of $25 million annually, his salary-cap hit for next season could be reduced with a new contract.
“We’d like to extend Ben’s contract,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said Wednesday. “I always hate to sort of predict the timing of those things. That is something that is on the agenda for the offseason.”
Roethlisberger led the NFL with 5,129 passing yards, but he also was tops with 16 interceptions. Rooney said he would like to see more “balance” in the offense next season, but he was pleased with Roethlisberger’s season.
“I feel good about where Ben is physically, mentally, his ability to be a productive player for multiple years,” Rooney said. “I think we feel good about trying to extend his contract.”
Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe at jrutter@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tribjoerutter.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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