Steelers & Ben Roethlisberger To Put Off Extension Talks Until Next Year

According to Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will not receive a contract extension until after the 2014 season.

• Cole adds that Roethlisberger is aware of his and understands the situation.

This fits with a number of reports that previously mentioned extension talks were unlikely to take place until next offseason.

Interestingly enough, Roethlisberger said a few weeks ago that playing the 2014 season under his current deal is like taking somewhat of a “hometown discount.”

“Playing this year at my current salary, it’s kind of taking a hometown discount,” Roethlisberger said. “I’ve played seven years on my current contract, which is the most of any (NFL) player or any quarterback. … It is kind of taking a discount compared to maybe where it could be compared to other quarterbacks.”

Roethlisberger, 32, still has two years remaining on his eight-year, $102 million contract that included $33.2 million guaranteed. He is set to earn $12.1 million for the upcoming season and another $11.6 million in 2015.

That’s not a lot when you consider that several quarterbacks are now making over $18 million per year, despite the fact that Big Ben has been much more successful over the course of his career.

A new contract would give the Steelers some flexibility to lower his cap figures of $18.895 million and $18.395 million to something more manageable. 

It will be interesting to see what kind of deal he is able to secure when the two sides start of contract talks next year.

In 2013, Roethlisberger completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 4,261 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.