The status quo remains for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the quarterback position in 2021. Ryan Tollner, Ben Roethlisberger’s agent, confirmed Aditi Kinkhabwala of the NFL Network that the club indeed wants the quarterback back as a starter for next season and the two sides are determined to lower their caps in order to continue a competitive club around them. Tollner added that Roethlisberger was unhappy with how Pittsburgh’s 2020 season ended, which has started a fire among the QB as he nears his 39-year season.
“They want Ben back and will be contacting me shortly to discuss his cap situation,” Tollner told Kinkhabwala. “As we’ve shared since the end of the season, we’re happy to creatively adjust his contract to help them put together the best team possible. A year ago, Ben wasn’t sure he’d be able to throw again, but he fought back to get 12. wins and the 8th division title of his career. They lost steam along the track and that’s not right for him, so the fire is burning strong and there is enough gas in the tank. ”
The news of Roethlisberger’s return to the Steelers for 2021 comes after a meeting the quarterback had with team chairman Art Rooney II that reportedly went well. Roethlisberger’s future in Pittsburgh seemed to be on the ice last week, as Steelers GM Kevin Colbert was rather blunt about the veteran’s situation.
“While we sit here today, Ben is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Colbert told reporters at the time. “He reiterated that he wants to keep playing. We have told him to look at this current situation.”
Rooney also admitted to reporters that the club “could not get him back under the current contract”.
To avoid a possible divorce, Roethlisberger made it abundantly clear that he would “do anything I can” to be creative with his contract to lower that number, as Tollner reiterated in this most recent statement.
While Roethlisberger only has a base salary of $ 4 million and a roster bonus of $ 15 million for 2021, the big problem is his $ 41.25 million limit. CBS Sports’ Joel Corry said last month that the reason Pittsburgh has such a huge caphit for Roethlisberger this coming season is because of a maneuver they made last season. At the time, the club lowered its 2020 limit from $ 33.5 million to $ 23.75 million by converting $ 19.5 million of its $ 21 million compensation for the 2020 season into a signing bonus. That move boosted his 2021 cap number by $ 9.75 million. As Tollner noted, the two sides will soon get to work moving that number to a tastier spot for Pittsburgh, heading for a low season where the salary ceiling will drop from 2020.
The 2021 season will be the 18th year in Roethlisberger’s career. Like the previous 17, No. 18 will be in a Steelers uniform.