QB Big Ben’s agent speaks of his client’s willingness to accept redoing of deal by Pittsburgh Steelers – NFL News
The agent of quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, has again confirmed that his client is willing to renegotiate his deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers to ensure the team remains intact.
A wave of rumours hit the market that in the wake of recent controversy around the so called retirement of Steelers’ former offensive coach, Bruce Arians, Big Ben might be interested in seeking an exit from the side.
The possibility of his divorce from Steelers also fit the context of the team’s recently launched austerity drive of cutting down their players’ salary expense, which is well above the cap.
Steelers are seeking to consolidate their expense and have restructured deals of a number of players and released a couple of them.
Big Ben and James Harrison, who are the two highest paid players with the side, are expected to face a cut in their benefits.
While denying the possibility of his departure from the team, Big Ben’s agent, Ryan Tollner, said that his client has agreed to redo his deal and work under new terms.
It is not clear yet if and when the team management will arrange the renegotiation of the players’ deals, as it, in the meantime, is busy in its restructuring and reshuffling campaign.
The team is reported to be overspending about $22 million a year and they now are looking to bring down that expense somewhere closer to their cap of $120 million.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach, Mike Tomlin, had earlier hinted at introduction of the measures to slash down the players’ salary budget. He did not disclose the names of potential candidates to be in the line of the deals reviews.
This is confirmed now that Steelers have cut their wide receiver, Arnaz Battle and cornerback, Bryant McFadden. The team estimates to fetch savings of around $3.5 million a year.
Further, they have reviewed deals’ terms of their players, Lawrence Timmons, Ike Taylor and LaMarr Woodley.
Another player who faces the sword is wide receiver, Hines Ward. The team is still to make decision on him in spite of his expressive interest in continuing playing for Steelers and ending his career there.
The team management has denied to have reached a decision on Ward’s contract. However, it did not even rule out the possibility of doing so in near future.
Being the highest paid players, Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison were expected to be the main targets of the austerity campaign.
Roethlisberger is on an eight-year contract worth $102 million from Steelers and in case of redoing of his deal he definitely faces a cut in his benefits.
So does Harrison, who is set to earn $51.175 million over the period of six years of his deal, which he had signed with the team back in 2009.
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