Ben Roethlisberger’s new contract is great news for Steelers

After being over the projected salary cap this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers are now under it after Ben Roethlisberger’s new deal.

Don’t call it a comeback. Or even a discount.

Still, Ben Roethlisberger’s new deal is helping the Pittsburgh Steelers stay competitive in what could be his last year come the 2021 season. Previously looking at a comical cap hit of more than $41 million for Roethlisberger, the two sides agreed to a revised deal which will pay Big Ben $14 million, lowering his total cap hit by more than $15 million.

The catch is Roethlisberger getting a cash payment through 2022, which means he’ll still get checks even though in all likelihood he won’t be on the team.

Why did the Steelers bring Ben Roethlisberger back on this deal?

We’ve seen contracts like this before, as it’s similar to what the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees have done. Brees is still getting more than $20 million in 2021, even if he’s retired. Not a bad goodbye gift.

For Pittsburgh, it may seem like a ton of money (still) considering Roethlisberger is 39 years old and faded down the stretch along with his team. After all, the Steelers began the year 11-0 before finishing 12-4 and eventually losing in the Wild Card round at home against the head coach-less Cleveland Browns.

Still, Roethlisberger is the best option for Pittsburgh to be reasonably competitive in 2021. Last year, he threw for 3,803 yards and 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions on a paltry 6.3 yards per attempt, by far the lowest figure of any full year in his career.

However, the other choices for the Steelers? Mason Rudolph or a rookie. Not exactly a great reason to move off Roethlisberger, especially when the dead cap hit would have been more than $22 million.