Steelers GM not sold on bringing Roethlisberger back
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert hinted at a possible split with Ben Roethlisberger on Wednesday after meeting with the high-priced quarterback following the Super Bowl.
"As we sit here today, Ben is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers," Colbert told reporters, via ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "… He reiterated to us that he wants to continue to play. We told him we have to look at this current situation."
Roethlisberger's payout will cost the team $41.25 million against the salary cap in 2021, representing the highest charge of any player in the NFL. The veteran signal-caller recently said he's willing to restructure his contract and doesn't care about his salary at this stage of his career.
But the 38-year-old also suffered from diminishing skills last season, leading to questions about whether the Steelers can still win a Super Bowl with him. Roethlisberger imploded in the playoffs with four interceptions in an opening-round loss to the Cleveland Browns.
"Can he still do some special things? Absolutely. Did he do that to his expectations? He would tell you no," Colbert said.
"Whatever team we come up with in 2021, hopefully, we're not talking about losing a first-round playoff game."
Roethlisberger is due a $15 million roster bonus on March 19, the third day of the new league year. If Pittsburgh releases him before then, the franchise can save $19 million against the cap, according to OverTheCap.
"Hopefully, there's a way that we can try to figure out and do what's best for the organization and do what's best for Ben," Colbert said. "Hopefully, he'll be able to see that and feel the same way we do."
The Steelers enter the offseason approximately $30.6 million over the cap.