The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most stable franchises over the past decade in large part due to the presence of Ben Roethlisberger. On Friday, the team thanked him with a brand new five-year contract that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2019 season, according to NFL.com's Albert Breer.
Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger agree to 5-year contract worth up to $108 million
The quarterback’s previous contract was set to expire after the 2015 season.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Roethlisberger could make as much as $108 million over the life of the deal, with incentives and escalators built into it. At a minimum, it will pay him $99 million over the life of the contract, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Under his old deal, Roethlisberger would have become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2015 season. He also would have carried a cap number in excess of $18 million. By extending Roethlisberger, the Steelers can not only ensure that their franchise quarterback remains in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future, but also create some badly needed cap relief. The team had just $7.2 million in cap space prior to the extension, according to Over the Cap.
Roethlisberger delivered one of his best seasons in 2014. He competed a 67.1 percent of his passes for 4,952 yards and 32 touchdowns, all career highs. He also produced back-to-back games with six touchdowns passes, a feat no other player in NFL history has ever accomplished.
On top of that, Roethlisberger has led the Steelers to three AFC Championships a pair of Super Bowl wins. A first-round pick in 2004, 11th overall, he won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award that season, and has been selected for three Pro Bowl appearances.
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