In late January, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger told The Athletic's Ed Bouchette that he would be willing to restructure his current contract to offer salary-cap relief for the 2021 season.
According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the two-time Super Bowl champion signal-caller has not yet met with the Steelers to discuss the subject.
Dulac's report came shortly after news broke that Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey announced their joint retirements from the NFL. Maurkice played only for the Steelers after the club selected him in the 2010 NFL Draft.
According to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Roethlisberger's deal carries a $41.25 million cap hit for 2021 at a time when Pittsburgh is roughly $30 million over the cap. As of early Friday morning, it was believed Roethlisberger and the Steelers would eventually agree to spread cap hits across the 2021 and 2022 seasons to give Pittsburgh needed cash ahead of free agency.
According to ESPN stats, Roethlisberger finished the regular season tied for seventh in the league with 33 touchdown passes, 19th with a 94.1 passer rating and 22nd with a 60.1 total QBR.
Even if the recently available J.J. Watt wants to play alongside brothers T.J. and Derek as a member of the Steelers, Pittsburgh must first work things out with Roethlisberger.
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