PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Ben Roethlisberger told the Steelers early this year that he wanted to come back and said he was the one to suggest to reduce his salary.
“It was my idea,” Roethlisberger said. “I told them I wanted to help the team out however we can. I went to them and told them that I would do whatever I could to help the team sign the guys that are going to help us win football games.”
Roethlisberger and the Steelers restructured his bonus and then they dropped his base salary to $1.075 million this season. Overall he saved the team about $5 million for the 2021 season.
It’s the potential in this team and a sour taste from the end of last year that really motivated the 39-year-old.
“I’ve been extremely blessed to play this game for a long time,” Roethlisberger said after attending another voluntary workout. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to come back. I knew we had a great defense and some amazing weapons on offense.”
“I wanted to come back to be a part what I think is a special football team that everyone is overlooking which I think is cool too. In order to do that. To help the guys here. I felt it was necessary to do that.”
If ever anyone enjoyed being overlooked or the underdog, it’s Roethlisberger. He also said on a Zoom call Tuesday, he didn’t think about playing elsewhere.
“I’m black and gold through and through,” Roethlisberger said. “That’s why I told the Rooney’s and Coach Tomlin. I want to be here. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is home to me. Almost half of my life has been here playing football for the Steelers.”
“It’s why I told them I would take a pay cut to stay here. This is what I believe in, this group and this city. This is home. It’s why I’m honored to have my career be here.”
