Roethlisberger represents yet another QB who was signed to a contract with the expectations that due to television contracts, the salary cap would increase dramatically - but that has not happened.
2014 will be the first season since Ben signed his contract in 2010 that moving he would make any sense, cap-wise. If he had been traded before the season, for example, it would have added $10,990,000 to Pittsburgh's 2013 cap; they were so tight for cap space this year that was not possible.
Next year Roethlisberger has a base salary of $12,100,000 and a cap figure of almost $19 million, and in the final year of his contract in 2015 he has a base of $11.6 and a cap figure of $18.4. If the Steelers do move him then they have a net cap savings of $5.3 million in 2014, and $11.6 million in 2015.
Although Roethlisberger is only 31, thanks to the Pittsburgh offensive lines the last few years and his penchant to hold on to the ball so long, there is a lot of tread worn off those tires. Given the current state of the team, trading him may be in their best interest. Is it realistic to think that they will be a legitimate Super Bowl contender before he is finished as an NFL quarterback? Brett Keisel is 35, Ryan Clark is 34, Ike Taylor is 33, Troy Polamalu is 32, Heath Miller is 31; besides the currently needed upgrades for Pittsburgh, all these key players will need to be replaced very soon as well.
If I am GM Kevin Colbert, I would talk it over with Tomlin and Rooneys and make a case for trading Roethlisberger if not right now, then certainly in the off season.
