Ben Roethlisberger comments on contract
By Josh Sanchez
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has two years remaining on his current contract with the team.
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Roethlisberger, who is severely underpaid based on the market value, has played out seven years of his current $100 million deal and is hoping to see a new contract in the near future that would result in a nice pay raise.
However, the Steelers have said that they will not begin contract negotiations until the end of the season.
Roethlisberger is making just north of $12 million in 2014 and is scheduled to make $11.6 million next season, and he understands that he is giving the Steelers a hometown discount.
“Playing this year at my current salary, it’s kind of taking a hometown discount,” Roethlisberger said, via Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “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.”
“Usually the Steelers do a quarterback deal with two years to go, which would be this year. . . . It’s kind of a unique thing.
Roethlisberger could certainly be making $20 million per year, so it will be interesting to see what his next contract will give to the two-time Super Bowl champion.
There is no doubt that Roethlisberger wants to remain a member of the PIttsburgh Steelers for the remainder of his career, but they will need to open up the checkbook and give him a salary that better reflects what he means and has done for the team.