Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers Agree to Two-Year Contract Extension
Ben Roethlisberger has agreed to a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers that will likely keep him with the team until he finishes his career, the team announced Wednesday.
Roethlisberger's new deal extends his contract for two additional years and runs through the 2021 season. He will earn a combined $63 million in 2020 and 2021, per the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The veteran quarterback was entering his final year of a four-year, $87.4 million contract extension that was signed in 2015.
“I am grateful to the Rooneys and the Steelers organization for continuing to believe in me,” Roethlisberger said. “It has always been a goal to play my entire career in Pittsburgh. This is home for me and my family, and we love this city. I am as excited to be a Steeler in year 16 as I was when they drafted me. They will get my absolute best.”
He had a $23.2 million 2019 salary cap number that included a $6.2 million in signing bonus proration, a $12 million base salary and a $5 million bonus due on March 15 before the new deal.
Roethlisberger, 37, previously said he intends to play "three to five more years" despite publicly discussing retirement following the 2016 season.
The 16-year Steelers' QB has been the subject of recent criticism following a fallout with wide receiver Antonio Brown, who was traded to the Oakland Raiders on March 10. Brown said Roethlisberger has an "owner mentality" and that teammates can't call him out, "otherwise they meal ticket gone."
Steelers general manager came to Roethlisberger's defense, calling the quarterback the team's "unquestioned leader."
Roethlisberger led the league this season in pass attempts (675), completions (452) and passing yards (5,129), all career highs. He also threw a career-best 34 touchdown passes.
The Steelers finished the 2018 season 9-6-1 and missed the playoffs after losing the AFC North to the Baltimore Ravens.
