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Steelers coach Mike Tomlin claimed on Wednesday that he was not fully aware of the dynamics regarding captain Ben Roethlisberger’s capital costs for 2021.
“I do not have a clear assessment of the overall impact of the effects of the cap, so I may not have a direct answer to your question,” Tomlin said. ‘But I think it’s fair to assume there’s a chance he’s definitely going to be back. The depth of the consequences of the cap discussions I am not aware of the fact that I am sitting here now. ‘
If Tomlin reads this, it’s the reality: Roethlisberger’s capital cost for 2021 is $ 41.25 million.
If Roethlisberger retires, it will still be $ 22.25 million. The challenge, if Ben continues his career, is to come up with an extension that will practically put the final levy between $ 22.25 million and $ 41.25 million.
The amount of $ 22.75 million represents the floor, as it is the last installment of its most recent signing bonus ($ 12.5 million) and its most recent restructuring bonus ($ 9.75 million). Roethlisberger earns a $ 15 million roster bonus on the third day of the 2021 league year, along with a base salary of $ 4 million during the regular season. The flexibility is to reinstate that $ 19 million in amounts applicable to the current limit and to future limits.
With a minimum salary of $ 1,075 million for players with seven or more years of experience, the Steelers can turn $ 17,925 million into a sign-up bonus that will be spread over time. The question then becomes how much of the amount will apply to 2021 and how much will apply to future years.
For example, if the Steelers give Ben a new four-year contract with three dummy years, they could cut the $ 17.925 million into four equal pieces of $ 4.48 million each. That would increase the number from 2021 to $ 26.73 million and push $ 13.44 million in the years to come. If 2021 then becomes its last year, the amount of $ 13.44 million in 2022 will apply.
While $ 26.73 million would not cause as much damage as $ 41.25 million, it is still a significant cost of capital. And remember this: Ben will have to agree to a new deal. If he says, “I’ll just keep my contract,” the Steelers would have to decide whether to pay $ 15 million on March 19 or reduce it.
Under the scenario, he will be guaranteed to owe none of the $ 12.5 million in unearned bonus money to Pittsburgh.
Would Ben Roethlisberger play for another team if he was cut? Probably not, but we would have said the same about Brett Favre and Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers and Tom Brady.
So these are the options: Retire, repay on the remaining transaction, extend the contract to waive the capital cost, or tear up the rest of the contract and make Ben a free agent for the first time in his career.