Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger hopes to sign extension 'sooner than later'

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I'm curious as to how they structure it since he's probably only got 3-4 more years in the league. Obviously, I don't know this as a fact. But it seems like he's taken a lot of big shots over his career and those will take their toll sooner or later.

but, Haley fixed all that...

[Sugar]

but, Haley fixed all that...

I'm guessing the rolling eyes are symbolic of sarcasm here. Fine, but even if Ben was the least sacked QB in the league the next few years it wouldn't take away the pounding he's already taken.

[flippy]

$130M - 7 years - $65M guaranteed

[feltdizz]

I'm guessing the rolling eyes are symbolic of sarcasm here. Fine, but even if Ben was the least sacked QB in the league the next few years it wouldn't take away the pounding he's already taken.

Ben still took some big hits last year. It's not how many... it's how hard. That shot in the first Baltimore loss was prolly harder than most of the hits the last 3 years combined.

[ikestops85]

I really don't see how folks can be giving Haley sh!t. Last year was the first year that our team could be considered one of the premier offensive teams in the league.

[Sugar]

I really don't see how folks can be giving Haley sh!t. Last year was the first year that our team could be considered one of the premier offensive teams in the league.

True- when was the last time that happened?

[feltdizz]

I really don't see how folks can be giving Haley sh!t. Last year was the first year that our team could be considered one of the premier offensive teams in the league.

until that premiere offense wins a few playoff games it doesn't matter how prolific it is in the regular season.

don't get me wrong, I love the direction this offense is headed but we had a good 5 or 6 games where the O looked horrible.

[NorthCoast]

until that premiere offense wins a few playoff games it doesn't matter how prolific it is in the regular season.

don't get me wrong, I love the direction this offense is headed but we had a good 5 or 6 games where the O looked horrible.

Agreed. But the offense was a little more consistent the last quarter of the season.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Steelers G.M. says they’ve started Big Ben contract talks, eventually

Posted by Darin Gantt on February 10, 2015, 2:17 PM EST

Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert met with reporters Tuesday, and mentioned something that created a bit of a stir.

But he quickly circled back to fix what might have been a public relations problem for the team.

During his press conference, Colbert indicated there wasn’t anything new regarding a new contract for quarterback Ben Rosthlisberger.

“We’ve prioritized signing Ben this off season,” Colbert said. “No timetable. Have not started discussions.”

He then returned to the press room, and told reporters that they actually had begun preliminary negotiations.

Roethlisberger is entering the final year of his contract, and is due to make $11.6 million this season. Tagging him next year would cost them $22.074 million.

That’s more of a hit than they want to take on the 2016 cap, but the fact they were so careful to point out that they were working on a new deal indicates how important it is for the team to keep everyone happy during this process.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/10/steelers-g-m-says-theyve-started-big-ben-contract-talks-eventually/[/URL]

[RuthlessBurgher]

GM: Big Ben keeps getting better

Updated: February 10, 2015, 2:54 PM ET
By Scott Brown | ESPN.com

PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers have begun preliminary negotiations on a new contract.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert acknowledged the contract talks Tuesday, saying that Roethlisberger still has growth potential even though the star quarterback turns 33 in less than a month.

Roethlisberger, who became the first player in Steelers franchise history to win a league passing title this past season, is entering the final year of an eight-year, $102 million deal he signed in 2008.

"I really think Ben is going to be a better quarterback down the road than he is at this point," Colbert said Tuesday. "Ben is a franchise quarterback that's getting better with age."

Colbert said the Steelers have no concerns about getting a new deal done with Roethlisberger, who established career highs last season in passing yards (4,952), completions (40 and completion rate (67.1 percent) in a season.

"When you have two parties that want to achieve the same goal, it is about working out the details," Colbert said. "It could happen quickly. It could take awhile."

Roethlisberger has said he wants to play his entire career with the Steelers, and three of his four 4,000-yard passing seasons have come since he turned 29.

Colbert compared Roethlisberger to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as far as his belief that the three-time Pro Bowler can play at a high level well into his 30s.

Colbert also said the Steelers expect Roethlisberger, who shared the 2014 NFL passing title with Drew Brees, to continuing improving because the team anticipates running back Le'Veon Bell and wide receivers Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton all improving as well.

"I think those guys have another level they can reach," Colbert said.

The Steelers should be able to lower Roethlisberger's salary-cap hit of $18.395 million in 2015 by signing the 11th-year veteran to a long-term contract. But Colbert said the Steelers have not set any deadlines as far as getting a deal done, even though free agency starts on March 10.

The Steelers are $2.734 million under the projected salary cap of $140 million for 2015, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Colbert said the Steelers should be able to create enough room under the room to keep their priority free agents and pursue free agents from other teams.

[URL]http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12306189/ben-roethlisberger-pittsburgh-steelers-begin-negotiations-new-contract?src=mobile&rand=ref~%7B%22ref%22%3A%22htt p%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FzI1QkiIbLC%22%7D[/URL]

[SidSmythe]

I wonder how many NFL QBs take the salary cap into consideration when they ask for money.

If you ask me I'd rather have $8 million per year than $12 million if it meant me having a top rated LT and a WR.

Just a thought. But I know these guys don't think this way

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I wonder how many NFL QBs take the salary cap into consideration when they ask for money.

If you ask me I'd rather have $8 million per year than $12 million if it meant me having a top rated LT and a WR.

Just a thought. But I know these guys don't think this way

Most NFLers simply "let my agent worry about it". The agent is more concerned with getting his cut and moving on. He is not the one who would be absorbing all of those hits, and having a career cut short by injury. He can just move on to the next young gun.

[feltdizz]

I wonder how many NFL QBs take the salary cap into consideration when they ask for money.

If you ask me I'd rather have $8 million per year than $12 million if it meant me having a top rated LT and a WR.

Just a thought. But I know these guys don't think this way

Brady tweeked his contract to keep Welker and the FO still dealt Welker.

Kapernick's contract was cap friendly and if his team doesn't turn things around next year it may cost him in the long run.

If I'm an NFL QB my job is to throw TD's and win games. I let the FO worry about building a great team.

[Slapstick]

Brady tweeked his contract to keep Welker and the FO still dealt Welker.

Kapernick's contract was cap friendly and if his team doesn't turn things around next year it may cost him in the long run.

If I'm an NFL QB my job is to throw TD's and win games. I let the FO worry about building a great team.

This is contradictory...

If Kaepernick does his job (throws TDs and wins games), then his contract will not cost him in the long run.