Roethlisberger restructures contract, puts Steelers near cap
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger drops back to pass during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field in December.
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Ben Roethlisberger became the fifth Steelers player to restructure his deal, and this one may bring the team even with the NFL's salary cap.
Roethlisberger, without giving up any money, reworked his deal for salary cap accounting purposes and cleared about $8 million in team cap room, according to his agent Ryan Tollner.
Since the Steelers were estimated to be about $8 million over the projected $120 million per-team salary cap, it should bring them close to even.
Roethlisberger had a salary of $11.6 million for 2012 before the restructuring. He is signed through the 2015 season on an eight-year deal he signed in 2008.
To save about $8 million in salary cap room, the Steelers would have had to convert $9 million of Roethlisberger's $11.6 million salary into a signing bonus. For salary cap accounting purposes, that bonus would count $2.25 million against the cap each of the four years remaining on his contract.
Roethlisberger also re-structured his contract last season to create salary cap room for the team.
Other veterans who have restructured their contracts to create salary cap room for 2012: Linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons, cornerback Ike Taylor and tackle Willie Colon.
First Published February 23, 2012 5:26 pm
