PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers want Ben Roethlisberger back and he wants to return.
Team chairman Art Rooney II acknowledged the mutual desire between the Steelers and their longtime quarterback in a statement Wednesday morning.
“Ben Roethlisberger and I met yesterday morning and we had a productive meeting,” said Rooney. “We’ve been able to discuss a lot of things related to where we are and where we want to go. Ben assured me he is determined to come back to help us win, and I told Ben we would like him back. to help us win a championship. We both understand that the next step is to work out Ben’s contractual situation. “
Declaration of #Steelers President Art Rooney II on QB Ben Roethlisberger: pic.twitter.com/mB0CwkmrCh
– Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) February 24, 2021
The last year of Roethlisberger’s current deal comes with a cap of $ 41.2 million, although a restructuring and contract extension could cut that by up to about $ 14 million.
Roethlisberger, who turns 39 next week, could also opt for a pay cut to the veteran minimum, bringing his limit to just over $ 23 million.
In a statement to NFL Network on Tuesday night, Roethlisberger’s agent Ryan Tollner said “we are pleased to creatively adjust his contract to help them put together the best team possible.”
Rooney’s statement is the most committed the Steelers have been to bringing back the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback for at least one more season.
General manager Kevin Colbert was lukewarm in his assessment of Roethlisberger’s status with the team last week, saying, “Hopefully there is a way we can try to figure out what’s best for the organization and do what’s best for Ben. “
Rooney echoed some of Colbert’s sentiments in Wednesday’s statement, saying that the teams still need to resolve Roethlisberger’s contractual situation – something to be done by the opening of the new league year on March 17.