Steelers agree to new contract with Roethlisberger for 2021 taken on the South Side (Steelers)

KARL ROSER / STEELERS

Ben Roethlisberger

The Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger have agreed to a new contract for the 2021 season that reduces the quarterback's pay for this season and creates cap room for the team.

The deal had been in the works for the past week.

"We are excited we were able to come to an agreement with Ben Roethlisberger on a new contract for him to return to the Steelers in 2021," said general manager Kevin Colbert. "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."

Roethlisberger's new deal calls for him to make $14 million in 2021. He had been scheduled to earn $19 million in new money, including a $15-million roster bonus that had been due to be paid March 19. Roethlisberger was scheduled to count $41.25 million against the Steelers salary cap in 2021.

Roethlisberger receives a $12.925 million signing bonus and the league minimum salary of $1.075 million for 2021. The Steelers also added voidable years through 2025 -- essentially dummy years -- that free up $15 million in cap space in 2021.

"It is my greatest honor to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and give my all for this organization," Roethlisberger said in a statement released by the team. "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."

Roethlisberger, who turned 39 earlier this week, is coming off a season in which he helped the Steelers to a 12-4 record in 2020 while returning from an elbow injury that required season-ending surgery in 2019.

But the team stumbled down the stretch and Roethlisberger threw four interceptions in a playoff loss to the Browns. He also threw for 501 yards and four touchdowns in the game. It was the fourth 500-yard passing game of his career, the most in NFL history.

Roethlisberger’s 169 wins are third-most among quarterbacks in NFL history, while his winning percentage of .670 ranks seventh on the all-time list.

Roethlisberger holds every meaningful passing record for the Steelers and ranks among the top 10 in NFL history in passing yards with 60,348 (7th) and touchdown passes with 396 (8th). His career passer rating of 94.0 ranks 14th on the all-time list.

Roethlisberger’s 22 career playoff games are a team record, as are his 233 career games played. And his 13 playoff wins are tied with Brett Favre for the sixth-most in NFL history.

The Steelers have 19 players who will be unrestricted free agents March 17. Included in that number are several starters, including wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Smith-Schuster took to Instagram to celebrate Roethlisberger's return.

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