Ben Roethlisberger’s future in Pittsburgh remains largely in doubt. Despite Roethlisberger’s cunning in adjusting his salary, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert did not express optimism when asked about the status of his quarterback for the 2021 season.
Colbert, who chose Roethlisberger as the 11th overall choice in the 2004 draft, said the team is not negotiating with Roethlisberger, according to Missi Matthews of Steelers.com. Colbert added that Roethlisberger met with him, coach Mike Tomlin and team president Art Rooney II. Rather than calm the waters when it comes to Roethlisberger’s future, Colbert offered a gloomy but transparent update in terms of where things are currently with Roethlisberger and the organization.
“With Ben’s current limit number, some adjustments will have to be made,” Colbert said, via Gerry Dulac from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I hope there is a way to find out what is best for the organization. I hope he can see it and feel the same. There is a lot of work to be done.”
According to Spotrac, Roethlisberger has a base salary of $ 4,000,000 and a bonus of $ 15,000,000 in 2021, while carrying a maximum limit of $ 41,250,000. As Joel Corry of CBS Sports noted last month, the Steelers compounded Roethlisberger’s problem last March when they reduced their 2020 limit number from $ 33.5 million to $ 23.75 million, converting $ 19.5 million from their $ 21 million compensation in 2020 in a signing bonus. Roethlisberger’s 2021 ceiling was increased by $ 9.75 million in the process.
“I think we were frank with Ben in informing him that we couldn’t have him back in the current contract and therefore I think he understands that we have some work to do there,” said Rooney II last month, via Jim Wexell , from Steel City Insider. “We will have more conversations. We will have more conversations internally. We will have more conversations with Ben. Obviously, we will have to know what the maximum number is at some point to finalize some of those decisions.”
Shortly after Rooney’s quotes went public, Roethlisberger told Ed Bouchette of Athletic that he would be willing to do whatever was necessary from the contract’s point of view to return in 2021.
“I want to do everything I can”, Roethlisberger said, “and I made it very clear to them from the beginning that it was my idea to basically help the team as I can this year.”
While Roethlisberger’s contract is a legitimate concern, the elephant in the room is whether or not the Steelers are using Roethlisberger’s contract as an excuse to part ways with the 39-year-old quarterback. Although his 2020 season started successfully with the Steelers 11-0, Roethlisberger’s game weakened during the final six games of the season. After throwing just four interceptions in Pittsburgh’s first 10 games, Roethlisberger launched 10 interceptions during his seven final matches. Their four interceptions largely contributed to the Steelers’ defeat in the playoff for the Browns.
Roethlisberger’s regression was not entirely his fault. His recipients lost a significant amount of passes during Pittsburgh’s three-game losing streak after his 11-0 start. The Steelers’ accelerated attack failed to complement Roethlisberger and the passing attack, with Pittsburgh finishing 32nd in races last season. Roethlisberger also played with an often predictable game plan that contributed to Randy Fichtner’s contract not being renewed by the Steelers this season.
Although Roethlisberger’s overall work last season suggests that he can still play at a high level, his age, salary and the current status of the Steelers can cause the Steelers to move in a different direction as a defender. The Steelers will go through a transition period in 2021. Maurkice Pouncey has recently retired, and the team is likely to lose other important players like Alejandro Villanueva, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner and Bud Dupree, among others.
The Steelers boss is probably considering what Roethlisberger’s return would mean for the team’s future in the position. Mason Rudolph is entering the final year of his newbie contract. If Roethlisberger doesn’t return for the 21 season, it will give the Steelers a year to determine whether or not to move on with Rudolph as Roethlisberger’s successor. If Roethlisberger returns, it could put Rudolph’s future with the team in limbo.
Expect the Steelers to make a decision about Roethlisberger’s future by March 19, when he will receive $ 15 million as part of his list bonus. Until then, speculation is likely to continue regarding Roethlisberger’s future with the Steelers.
“While we’re sitting here today, Ben is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” said Colbert on Wednesday, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “He reiterated that he wants to continue playing. We told him that we have to look at the current situation.”