According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Steelers are “intent” on signing QB Ben Roethlisberger to a contract extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh for the duration of his NFL career.
La Canfora adds that the Steelers intend to begin contract talks with Roethlisberger early in the offseason and likely before the Scouting Combine is underway.
The Steelers are reportedly prepared to make Roethlisberger one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the game and which will likely cost them close to $20-million per year.
La Canfora writes that no one within the Steelers organization has any issue with the idea that Roethlisberger is worth the money. Locking up Big Ben is “far and away their offseason priority.”
There are currently no negotiations going on between the Steelers and Roethlisberger, which isn’t all that surprising. Pittsburgh is known for shutting down contract negotiations once the season is underway.
Roethlisberger, 32, is in the seven year of his eight-year, $102 million contract that includes $33.2 million guaranteed. He is set to earn $12.1 million for the upcoming season and another $11.6 million in 2015, which is a far cry from the type of money less accomplished quarterbacks are making right now.
Should Big Ben secure a top-five contract for quarterbacks in terms of total guarantees, he’s looking at close to $45.5 million.
This season, Roethlisberger has thrown for 3,705 yards while completing 66.7 percent of his passes to go along with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 4 quarterback in the league.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
