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Ben Roethlisberger’s plan for the 2021 season has been one of the main questions surrounding the Steelers since Pittsburgh’s loss in the playoffs to the Browns. While he had previously said he wanted to at least honor the final year of his contract, Roethlisberger was without engagement when asked about the 2021 season immediately following Pittsburgh’s loss to Cleveland.
While he still has not officially made a decision on the 2021 season, there is “optimism within the organization” about Roethlisberger’s return, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo. Garofolo’s report seems to indicate that, if Roethlisberger is to play another season, the Steelers will welcome him with open arms.
“I hope the Steelers want me to come back if this is the way to go,” Roethlisberger said after throwing for 501 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions in the Steelers 48-37 loss to the Browns.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said this week it was “reasonable to assume” that there was a chance Roethlisberger would at least honor the rest of his contract. Tomlin praised Roethlisberger’s performance in 2020 after a season that saw him miss 14 games after undergoing major elbow surgery.
“With the uncertainty that emerges from the injury, and in particular not having the opportunity to play in preseason games and so on, there was really a high level of concern about his health. and his ability to perform, ”Tomlin said, via Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley. “I can’t say enough about his efforts. I can’t say enough about the efforts of our medical staff and our rehabilitation team who worked hand in hand with him to bring him through this process and l ‘bring in the stadiums this year.
“I was more than happy with the performance of his health and ability to stay in shape. In terms of the quality of his game and our game, we will start to assess that in the next few days, but in terms of the response of him. the challenges he specifically came up with in the season ready to face, spectacular. “
If Roethlisberger returns for an 18th season, he will play for a new offensive coordinator. Randy Fichtner was one of three assistants whose contracts were not renewed by the team. Roethlisberger could also lose future free agents JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner. Alejandro Villanueva, his left tackle starting in 2015, could also leave this offseason.
Big Ben will likely have to adjust his salary if the Steelers are to try to re-sign Smith-Schuster. While Roethlisberger’s salary for 2021 is $ 19 million, his cap of $ 41 million would significantly hamper Pittsburgh’s ability to sign any of its 26 free agents. The Steelers must also find a way to extend the contracts of defensive stars TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh took Watt’s fifth-year option last offseason, while Fitzpatrick is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
As he and Pittsburgh’s offense faded into the home stretch, Roethlisberger had a rather successful season. He finished the season with 33 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions while helping lead the Steelers to an 11-0 start. But lost assists from his receivers, injuries to key players in defense and a running offense in 32nd place each contributed to the end of the Steelers’ season 1-5.
The 2020 season marked the fourth straight year that the Steelers stumbled in December. The 2017 Steelers suffered a controversial loss to the Patriots before falling to the Jaguars in the playoffs. The 18-team started 7-2-1 before losing four of their last six games to miss the playoffs. The 19-team were 8-5 and inside the playoff picture before losing the last three games. Pittsburgh’s recent lack of success late in the season is one of the things Tomlin has said he will work to correct in the offseason.
Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh have just over two months to make a decision, as Roethlisberger’s roster bonus is due on March 19. the table when they are on the clock.
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