Ben Roethlisberger will do whatever it takes. The quarterback is trying to be the ultimate teammate when it comes to his upcoming contract extension. As trade rumors continue to circulate around the quarterback with the team struggling, Roethlisberger is admitting he would accept a pay cut to "help the team."
"You know what? Obviously, I will do whatever I need to do," Roethlisberger said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. "That's something that can be discussed when the time comes. It's not really my thing. I play football. I have people to deal with all that stuff. I will do whatever it takes to stay here and be a part of this team and help this team win."
Roethlisberger continues to try and prove himself as the ultimate team player. First the NFL Network reported the quarterback would likely demand a trade in the offseason to get out of Pittsburgh and on a team with a better recent history than the one of the Steelers. Naturally the quarterback denied any idea he was leaving Pittsburgh, stressing that he would retire before accepting trade.
"I'd retire before I'd accept a trade," Roethlisberger said. "I mean, it would have to be something really, really unbelievable for me to even consider it. I have talked to my wife about that. I don't want to be anywhere else. This is where we want to be."
With trade rumors now being put aside, Roethlisberger can start to think about getting a new pay day. He just expressed his love and commitment to the Steelers, but is that love deep enough to accept less money? Roethlisberger has two more years on his current contract. He is set to make $12.1 million in 2014 and $11.6 million the year after. He has a pretty heavy salary cap hit of over $17 million in the next two years and Pittsburgh will likely need that lowered if they are going to have room to make other improvements.
The Steelers will likely try and renegotiate Roethlisberger's contract this upcoming offseason in order to try and lower the salary cap hit. The quarterback is a two-time Super Bowl winner and most players right now of his caliber are making upwards of $20 million a year. Roethlisberger is actually underpaid considering what Aaron Rodgers or Joe Flacco is making.
For the millionth time, Roethlisberger told reports that he loves Pittsburgh and is extremely happy. Time will tell if he is happy enough to take a hometown discount.
