Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger’s contract makes history
By Matt Shetler
NFL players have been known to sign on the dotted line for some insane dollar figures. But those same NFL players have also been known to not receive all of the money that they originally signed for.
That is unless you are Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
May 21, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) participates in organized team activities at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
According to ESPN Stats & Information’s John Parolin there have been 16 contracts signed by NFL players with a maximum value of at least $100 million, and of those 16 no one has ever earned $70 million in those non-guaranteed deals.
However that will change this season when Roethlisberger becomes the first.
Roethlisberger is scheduled to receive $11.6 million this year ($9 million in a bonus as part of a restructured contract), which will give him $76.5 million from an eight-year, $102 million deal that he signed in March 2008.
According to ESPN’s Stats & Information, the most any player has ever made on a $100 million deal was the $69 million that Donovan McNabb made.
The $76.5 million that Big Ben has made of his $100 million deal will likely be it as he is in line for an extension after this season because his salary-cap number will be around $18 million and restructuring his contract this time won’t free up much cap room.
In addition by giving Roethlisberger a new deal next offseason, it will all but assure the fact that he will finish his career in a Steelers uniform.
There are currently eight players in the NFL making over $100 million. In addition to Roethlisberger, the other seven include: Drew Brees, Mario Williams, Adrian Peterson, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers.