Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Pittsburgh Steelers announced that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has agreed to a new five-year contract.
"It's home. It's family. As much as my wife and kids are family, so is the Rooney family and my team and coaches. I've always said this is where I want to be," Roethlisberger stated in a Friday press conference.
No financial terms of the new pact were revealed by the team, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that it will average $20 million over at least six years and should lower his salary-cap hit for the upcoming season.
Roethlisberger, who tied for the NFL lead with a career-high 4,952 passing yards in 2014, was entering the final season of a six-year deal he signed in 2008. His 32 touchdown passes tied a career high first set in 2007, and his nine interceptions marked the fewest since being picked off only eight times two years ago.
The Miami-Ohio product has spent his entire 11-year NFL career in the Steel City, winning two Super Bowls. He has passed for 39,057 yards and 251 TDs against 131 interceptions over 159 games.
"There is no question Ben has grown over the years and truly has become a leader of our team," said Steelers president and co-owner Art Rooney II.
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