Steelers Throwback Thursdays: Roethlisberger takes a pay cut to return for 18th season

Before the NFL officially gears up for the 2022-23 season, Steel City Underground will be taking fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us as we revisit these moments in our “Throwback Thursdays”.

Following a 48-37 Wild Card round loss to the Cleveland Browns, the 2021 offseason began under tenuous circumstances for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In that early playoff exit, soon-to-be 39-year-old quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw four interceptions, but also threw four touchdowns and 501 yards.

This was after missing all but six quarters of the previous season due to an injury requiring surgery on his elbow. Despite a hot 11-0 start to the 2020 season, the future of Big Ben in Pittsburgh was up for debate. (Especially after his long-time teammate, Maurkice Pouncey, announced his retirement weeks earlier.)

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The center of the controversy was Roethlisberger’s $42 million cap hit, which would now account for roughly 23 percent of the team’s salary cap: which was reduced dramatically by the league from 2020’s $198 million to $182.5 million with little warning, due to the pandemic.

While the Steelers couldn’t save the entirety of Big Ben’s $42 million – over half of which was tied to previous contract restructures – they could’ve recouped almost half, or somewhere between $19-20 million of that figure by releasing the future Hall of Famer. Such a move would’ve dramatically helped the organization, which was about $30 million over the new cap.

However, nearly one year ago on March 4th, 2021, everyone would find out how dedicated Roethlisberger was to his team and winning in 2021 by reworking his contract while personally taking a $5 million pay cut.

Roethlisberger noted such after the news was released of his willingness to work with the franchise to return for at least one more year, his 18th with the Steelers:

“It is my greatest honor to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and give my all for this organization. I am grateful to be at this stage of my career and more than happy to adjust my contract in a way that best helps the team to address other players who are so vital to our success. I love this game and love to compete, and I believe in this team and my ability to deliver when called upon. It all starts with great preparation and I am ready to go.”

Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert was just as eager to see Big Ben return:

“We know that Ben can still play at a high level and do special things for this team. Our goal remains the same — to put together a roster that will compete for another championship. We are happy that Ben will be one of our leaders to help us accomplish that goal.”

The new details of the contract greatly helped Pittsburgh, reducing Roethlisberger’s base salary from $19 million to $14 million in the final year of his contract, while spreading the remainder through void years, which has turned into a 2020 $10.3 million dead cap hit.

The maneuver also lowered Roethlisberger’s 2021 cap hit by over $15 million total, in the hopes that the Steelers could use the relief to put other pieces around their aging franchise quarterback to make one last run at a Super Bowl Championship.

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While there was speculation on whether the 2021 season would now be Roethlisberger’s last, those rumors were finally put to rest with an official announcement and proper send-off in the final weeks of the regular season. Big Ben would once again lead the 9-7-1 Steelers to the postseason after throwing for 3,740 yards and 22 touchdowns, leaving fans with no dry eyes as the gunslinger made his last stand.


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