After team owner Art Rooney had given the green light for a further collaboration with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the financial details have now been clarified. Roethlisberger has approved a new contract – including a salary cut.
According to consensus reports, Roethlisberger has agreed to a $ 5 million pay cut. But under his previous contract, the veteran himself would have had a cap hit of over 35 million dollars for the coming season – too much for the Steelers, who still have to save money.
Accordingly, the Steelers had to take action beyond that: Pittsburgh is converting a large part of the base salary into a signature bonus, and so-called “void years” have been added to Roethlisberger’s contract for cap reasons in order to be able to split this money over several years.
In concrete terms: Big Ben’s Cap Hit 2021 will fall by another ten million dollars to finally around 25 million – these ten million will then be incurred as a Dead Cap Hit from a Cap’s point of view in 2022, if Roethlisberger is then no longer under contract. Despite the added void years, his contract ends after the coming season.
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert finally spoke up in a press release: “We are delighted that we have been able to agree on a new contract with Ben Roethlisberger. We know that Ben can still play at a high level. Our goal remains unchanged : We want to put together a squad with which we can play for another title. “
Roethlisberger himself added of the same message: “It is my greatest honor to continue to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and to give my all for this organization. I am grateful to have reached this point in my career and I am more than ready to adapt my contract to help the team address the players who are so important to the success of this team. “
