Steelers Ink Big Ben to 8-Year $102 Million Deal, With $36 Million Guaranteed

The Pittsburgh Steelers tend to not overpay to keep their own players, but today they came to terms with franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on an 8-year $102 million contract that will probably keep him with the team for the rest of his career (motorcycle accidents notwithstanding). The deal includes roughly $36-38 million in guaranteed money, depending on whose reports you read, and places him among the league's highest paid players, with a $12.75 million a year average. That can buy a lot of motorcycle helmets and/or reconstructive surgery.

After being drafted in the 1st round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Miami (of Ohio), Big Ben took over the reigns of a team searching for a leader since the departure of Terry Bradshaw, and was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year. He then helped lead Pittsburgh to their first Super Bowl victory in 26 years, when the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL, becoming the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl. In 4 seasons Roethlisberger has started 55 games, thrown for 11,673 yards, 84 touchdowns, and 54 interceptions, good for a career passer rating of 92.5. He is coming off his best statistical season, throwing for a franchise record 32 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions, while generating a 104.1 quarterback rating.