Steelers sign Ben to a new contract

Reports say they saved $15M. If true, they'd be allotting $26M ($22.1M original prorated + $4M from new contract) to this season, down from the original $41M.

I'm not savvy to all the loopholes that teams ferret out in contracts, but on its face I'm guessing vet min + three void years. If they're saving $15M this season, they lowered his original base hit from $19M to $4M. Reports have him taking a cut to $14M, so $10M got pushed off of this season.

Drawing a new contract at $1.1M base in 2021 (vet min, technically $1.075M) and converting the remaining $12.9M to prorated signing bonus over four years is ~$3.2M/yr.

So 2021 is $1.1M + $3.2M = $4.3M... Originally $19M of base pay, savings of $14.7M

2022 - 2024: $3.2M each... $9.6M total

Total contract: $13.9M (factor rounding back in, $14M)

$10M in dead money if 2021 is Ben's last.

 

They have cap space in a couple years because they don't have 20 guys under contract for 2022.

And they're already eating into that space with players who won't be around then.

 

20 guys plus two draft classes between now and then including compensatory picks is probably 35 players. Add Watt, Minkah and whoever else they extend and you’ll be up to 40, and still have substantial cap space available.

It’s all about the draft, get some guys that can play and they’ll be fine.

 

Did anyone really think Ben wouldn't be on the Steelers roster (and starting QB) for 2021...

 

I dont expect them to pick a QB this year, certainly not early anyway.

They can pick one in 2022, re-sign Rudolph or pick up a free agent vet to try to ease the new guy in.

 

Mid season maybe but come crunch time nobody will be surprised when history repeats itself and he flames out yet again.

Mark my words this will be a complete waste of time.

 

I think they have to go all in on 2021 now. RB in the first, OL next 2-3 picks, TE, remake the offense into a ground and pound.

 

I don't know if Bob Labriola has inside info, but he just said today that he doesn't think they draft a QB now.

 

I see this ending one of 3 ways

Ben gets hurt and carted off the field because he has 0 mobility.

Ben can’t execute Canada’s offense because he has 0 mobility and gets benched mid season.

Ben is allowed to do whatever he wants and goes into shotgun all year because he has 0 mobility and we go 9-7.

Any way you slice it this is a classic example of a once great player hanging on too long.

 

He's right actually look back at last years threads at this time then Ben goes and wins 11 straight.

People all have their opinions on Ben I'm one that's in disagreement that he's totally washed up incapable of winning a superbowl.

I think it's pretty obvious they need to figure out offensive line woahs as well as find a way to run the ball.

I think this is a good move overall for the franchise I was optimistic they'd reach an agreement at a lower cost.

 

Expected, but terrible. Please, please let Tomlin leave with Ben next off season. It's the only potential positive here.

 

Unless there is a trade until then, I'm pretty positive it will be Oline and probably offensive tackle.. We'll see

 

He took the vet minimum. And people are still btching. Lol

 

I just read where he took the vet min of 1mill somthing, and the rest as a signing bonus.. guess the person that reported that was wrong??

 

If they improve the running game, then Ben won't have to throw 40 times a game and try to carry the offense.

 

Yeah, they kinda robbed Peter to pay Paul but it reduced the cap hit.

 

I really doubt Rudolph will be back in 2022. I guess it depends on how they tender him. Mason wants to play and has shown some potential. I feel like there will be a team that will give up a pick to sign Rudolph in 2022.

 

Ben has gone on record saying he wants JuJu back next season. I wonder if his contract restructuring was contingent on the team’s commitment to resign JuJu?

 

I heard JuJu Bean will be back but not sure about JuJu SS.