You have to appreciate the synergy of how the Pittsburgh Steelers handled Ben Roethlisberger’s new contract. The team signed Roethlisberger to a contract extension on the 15-year anniversary of the day the Steelers drafted Roethlisberger in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. Roethlisberger was the No. 11 overall pick in 2004.
This the draft we remember more for the quarterback drama at the top of the round between Eli Manning and Philip Rivers, but Roethlisberger has easily been the best quarterback from the 2004 class.
Roethlisberger’s slide in the first round ended up being a boon to the Steelers as he quickly developed into one of the best quarterbacks in the league. And heading into the 2019 season, the Steelers have added two years to the one left on his current deal, making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league in 2020 and 2021.
