The Facts: The Steelers and Roethlisberger are expected to restructure and extend the veteran quarterback's deal before the new league year begins March 13, per league sources.

Diehards Line: Roethlisberger's restructured contract would create salary-cap space and also make it more palatable to move on from Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown this offseason if that's the direction the Steelers decide to go. Should Pittsburgh decide to trade Brown this offseason, it's going to need more salary-cap room to carry his $21.25 million in dead money, and one player who could provide it is Roethlisberger. But Roethlisberger is also headed into the last year of his contract, and the two sides typically have extended his deals in early March -- the first extension coming with two years left on his contract, the more recent one coming with one year remaining. Now with the timing right, and the Steelers needing cap space, Roethlisberger is expected to give Pittsburgh an assist before the new league year begins.