(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Ben Roethlisberger has repeatedly said he would honor his contract, and it appears that will be the case. According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, there's optimism within the organization that Roethlisberger will be back in 2021.
Mike Tomlin in his season-ending press conference on Wednesday said that he was on board with Roethlisberger returning. The Steelers didn't renew offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner's contract following the end of the 2020 season, and it's been reported that quarterbacks coach Matt Canada has been promoted to the offensive coordinator position.
Roethlisberger at least has some familiarity with Canada, so he won't in a sense be learning an entirely new offense and scheme.
Roethlisberger has a hefty $41.25 million cap hit in 2021, but his contract could be extended to lower his cap hit. If Roethlisberger were to retire or be cut before the third day of the new league year, which begins on March 17, the Steelers would save $19 million and have $22.25 million in dead money, according to Overthecap.com.