Bleacher Report: Ben Roethlisberger is Steelers’ Most Overpaid Player

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be the Steelers’ most expensive player in 2021, both according to salary cap and cash distributed, as the veteran passer will count for $25.91 million against the team’s salary cap thanks to a new contract signed early this offseason.

Additionally, Roethlisberger’s contract will void automatically after the 2021 season, creating another $10.34 million in dead money for 2022. According to Bleacher Report, that also makes Roethlisberger the Steelers’ most overpaid player.

“Yes, he helped Pittsburgh win the AFC North and earn 12 wins. However, Big Ben’s trademark arm strength was noticeably absent, and he struggled to stretch the field late in the season,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox. “His yards per attempt (6.3) would have marked a career low if not for his two-game stint in 2019.


“The reality is that Roethlisberger is a 39-year-old quarterback who can no longer carry an offense the way he once did. This isn’t to say that Pittsburgh cannot win a championship with him under center in 2021, but the Steelers are set to pay the future Hall of Famer more for what he’s done for the franchise than what he can do now.”

Cornerback Joe Haden ($15.575 million), defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt ($14.94 million), outside linebacker T.J. Watt ($10.089 million and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward ($7.481 million) round out the Steelers’ top five salaries.