Roethlisberger wants to stick with Steelers
If Ben Roethlisberger gets his wish, the next NFL move he'll make will be to Canton, Ohio, following a long and distinguished career with the Steelers.
"I would love to retire here," Roethlisberger said on Tuesday. "I would love to go the Hall of Fame in a Steelers jersey. That would be an ultimate goal. I want to do what (Dan) Marino, (Jim) Kelly, (John) Elway and all those guys did -- play with one team their whole career."
Roethlisberger is hoping to move one step closer toward realizing that goal this offseason by agreeing to a long-term contract extension with the Steelers.
"I'm sure we'll talk to him soon," Steelers chairman Dan Rooney said.
Roethlisberger has two years remaining on his initial deal.
"The quarterback position is one position we've addressed two years prior to free agency," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said. "Obviously, Ben has done some great things for our organization. We expect him to accomplish even greater things moving forward.
"Although we have not as of yet entered into official negotiations, we would anticipate that beginning in the very near future."
Roethlisberger set several Steelers records this season, including most touchdown passes in a season (32).
"I just want to get it over with, truthfully," Roethlisberger said. "I never really think about it except when people bring it up to me. Everywhere I go it's, 'What's going on with the contract?'
"I don't really know. I just want to play football, and I want to get started thinking about that. So the sooner we can get talking and get this over with, the better for me."
Roethlisberger is scheduled to earn $1,356,500 in 2008 and $1,707,000 in 2009 in base salary. He is due bonuses of $2.95 million in 2008 and $8 million in 2009.
Tony Romo of Dallas reportedly signed a six-year, $67.5 million contract, with $30 million guaranteed, in October.
Marc Bulger of St. Louis reportedly signed a six-year, $65 million deal, with $27 million guaranteed, in July.
Neither has started for a Super Bowl champion, as Roethlisberger did in 2005.
"You always know what other guys are making because everyone blasts it all over the place," Roethlisberger said. "You know that Romo just did a deal. You know what Peyton (Manning) made a couple years ago (a reported $99.2 million over nine years, with a $34.5 million signing bonus). You know what's going on. It's crazy.
"I don't really know how all that stuff works out with what's guaranteed and how you do this. I don't even deal with that. That's why you hire agents."