Steelers GM expects Roethlisberger to end career with team
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said he can't imagine "any circumstance" in which Ben Roethlisberger wouldn't end his career with the team, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
The Steelers recently said Roethlisberger's contract situation wouldn't be discussed until after the season, though Colbert said he doesn't expect it to take long for the two sides to come to a deal once contract talks are opened.
Roethlisberger has two years remaining on the eight-year, $102 million contract he signed in 2008. He'll earn $12.1 million this season and $11.6 million in 2015 under his current deal.
The report notes that Pittsburgh traditionally renegotiates a new contract for its starting quarterback when he has two years left on his contract, making Roethlisberger's situation an exception to that rule.
More from Roethlisberger:
"Playing this year at my current salary, it's kind of taking a hometown discount,” Roethlisberger told the Tribune-Review. “I've played seven years on my current contract, which is the most of any [NFL] player or any quarterback. ... It is kind of taking a discount compared to maybe where it could be compared to other quarterbacks.”
Roethlisberger, 32, threw for 4,261 yards with 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season. He's been with the Steelers since they drafted him in 2004.
- Ben Estes
