Steelers to restruture Ben's contract....

[Chucktownsteeler]

Adam Schefter
ESPN Senior Writer

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

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.

[bksteeler]

I'm just wondering if Ben really wants that money to be used simply to get rid of his best receiver, despite the headaches AB can cause. If I were Ben, I wouldn't. Usually, a quarterback gives up money in order to get a good player, not to get rid of a great one.

[mcmillenandwife]

I'm just wondering if Ben really wants that money to be used simply to get rid of his best receiver, despite the headaches AB can cause. If I were Ben, I wouldn't. Usually, a quarterback gives up money in order to get a good player, not to get rid of a great one.

I'll say this based on the evidence:

Ben without Antonio = still great. 

Antonio without Ben = non-existent. 

Ben wants Super Bowls, not passing titles. AB is now a huge team cancer. He has to go. It will be addition by subtraction.

[RaynorShyne]

I'm just wondering if Ben really wants that money to be used simply to get rid of his best receiver, despite the headaches AB can cause. If I were Ben, I wouldn't. Usually, a quarterback gives up money in order to get a good player, not to get rid of a great one.

I'll say this based on the evidence:

Ben without Antonio = still great. 

Antonio without Ben = non-existent. 

Ben wants Super Bowls, not passing titles. AB is now a huge team cancer. He has to go. It will be addition by subtraction.

Hear that?  the tick.....tick......tick is going to become gong sounds next year.

[Cali-Steeler]

Any thought to the Steelers dumbly going after Bell and may be part of the reason for restructuring Bens contract after Trading Brown?

[mcmillenandwife]

Any thought to the Steelers dumbly going after Bell and may be part of the reason for restructuring Bens contract after Trading Brown?

I'd be shocked. I think that ship has sailed.

My belief -- my hope -- is that we're moving on from these diva-types and getting back to building a TEAM fit for a Super Bowl.

Who were the divas in 2005? It can be done.

[Cali-Steeler]

Agreed. I miss the old Defensive grind from the past " 2005 " I loved watching the defense more then the offense. Although under this coach I just don't see it happening. The Brown / Bell drama did nothing to make the defense crappy.

Coach Dumblin has had 8 years to build up the defense. Sure the Steelers got sacks and stats. But couldn't get stops when it counted. I don't know, I just don't see it.

[Garrett Garlits]

People give our coach a nickname like "Dumblin",yet he's William and Mary-educated, makes millions of dollars a year, and even with this year's mediocre performance is still regarded as one of the top men in his profession, someone who most players would die to play for.

Meanwhile, I'd be willing to bet that most of the people who come up with the name (as if they're the only ones who ever thought of it) either never went to college or went to a much less prestigious school, make something much less than millions, aren't at the top of whatever profession they're pursuing, and most people wouldn't care if their job ever got done or not unless their lives were in danger. And yet Mike Tomlin's the "dummy" because he didn't succeed according to the standards of a group of people who don't know a football from a footstool, especially compared to him.

I wish I was that dumb, and I'd bet most of you do too if you'd only admit it.

[mcmillenandwife]

People give our coach a nickname like "Dumblin",yet he's William and Mary-educated, makes millions of dollars a year, and even with this year's mediocre performance is still regarded as one of the top men in his profession, someone who most players would die to play for.

Meanwhile, I'd be willing to bet that most of the people who come up with the name (as if they're the only ones who ever thought of it) either never went to college or went to a much less prestigious school, make something much less than millions, aren't at the top of whatever profession they're pursuing, and most people wouldn't care if their job ever got done or not unless their lives were in danger. And yet Mike Tomlin's the "dummy" because he didn't succeed according to the standards of a group of people who don't know a football from a footstool, especially compared to him.

I wish I was that dumb, and I'd bet most of you do too if you'd only admit it.

Well, FWIW, I don't think Tomlin is "dumb." I also don't think he's a bad coach; quite the opposite. I just think his time may have passed in Pittsburgh.

I hope I'm wrong, obviously. Maybe getting rid of selfish divas like Bell and Brown will be the catalyst to regain control of the team and help us get us back on track? We'll see.

Ultimately, I want the Steelers to win. I'll support him heading into the 2019 season, but my expectations remain Super Bowl or bust, so if the team falls short, I will once again call for his firing. I realize, my opinion has absolutely no bearing on what happens to Tomlin, but as always, I will still choose to express my thoughts.

[Garrett Garlits]

I was referring to Cali, Tim, not you. Like I said, I'll bet he thinks he's the only one to ever use that nickname.

[mcmillenandwife]

I was referring to Cali, Tim, not you. Like I said, I'll bet he thinks he's the only one to ever use that nickname.

I knew you were yanking Cali's chain. Just adding my thoughts. I don't think anybody actually thinks Tomlin is dumb; but they DO view some of the calls and coaching moves he makes as dumb (myself included). 

There is a distinction.

[Cali-Steeler]

I was referring to Cali, Tim, not you. Like I said, I'll bet he thinks he's the only one to ever use that nickname.

 You Sir, are too funny! You add entertainment to this board that's about it.  Just because someone uses the name Dumblin you figure they think a certain way in vain?

  People use that name all over the other boards. Get off the crack pipe and figure it out >

[Garrett Garlits]

I KNOW people use that name all over the boards. That's why I made fun of you for using it. Are you too stupid to think up an insulting name of your own?

[Cali-Steeler]

I KNOW people use that name all over the boards. That's why I made fun of you for using it. Are you too stupid to think up an insulting name of your own?

  
    I don't play your games. And I don't have to make up insulting stuff to be on this board.

[mcmillenandwife]

  
    I don't play your games. And I don't have to make up insulting stuff to be on this board.

That's fo sho. 

[Garrett Garlits]

I wasn't challenging you, Cali. I was trying to rub your nose in your own ignorance.


Serious question: Am I the only person on this board who thinks that Art II is making the absolute right move by keeping Tomlin (and presumably extending him this offseason)?

[Crash]

Tomlin should be fired. IMO the players don't listen to him anymore.