Ben Roethlisberger 2021 Outlook
Early this offseason, the Steelers made it clear that Roethlisberger wouldn't be back if he didn't reduce his 2021 salary cap number from the scheduled $41.25 million. That's why Roethlisberger willingly reduced his pay to $14 million (from $19 million) in this final year of his contract and spread the cash payment through 2022. Roethlisberger, who has played in a Steelers’ record 233 games and started a record 231, came back strong in 2020 after missing most of the 2019 season with an elbow injury. That said, 2020 was a tale of two seasons. Big Ben completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 2,800 yards and a 25-6 TD-INT ratio in the Steelers' first 11 games. Pittsburgh went undefeated in that stretch, looking like a Super Bowl favorite with an offense powered by Roethlisberger, who was turning in a vintage performance with a new cast of pass-catchers led by Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool. But down the stretch, Roethlisberger threw nine touchdowns and had six turnovers over his final five games as the Steelers went only 2-3. While rookie RB Najee Harris will help, Roethlisberger's return gives Pittsburgh's offense its best chances of high-end production and of keeping the team's young receiving corps fantasy relevant.
