Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger will be first player paid over $70 million on one contract

Ben Roethlisberger will be the NFL's first $70 million man.

An interesting story by ESPN's AFC North writer Jamison Hensley, who points this figure out, crediting ESPN Stats & Information's John Parolin. According to them, Roethlisberger will pull in $11.6 million this year, which will push his earnings from his 8-year, $102 million contract signed in 2008 to $76.5 million.

This tops the $69 million earned by former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

There are eight players in the NFL who signed total contracts worth $100 million or more - Roethlisberger, Saints QB Drew Brees, Bills defensive end Mario Williams, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Lions WR Calvin Johnson, Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, Ravens QB Joe Flacco and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.

Roethlisberger is the only one to have won two super Bowls, and is the only one to have won a Super Bowl while playing for that $100 million deal. Brees, Flacco and Rodgers won their title before receiving their $100 million extensions.

Roethlisberger has been racked with injuries over the last two seasons. He was enjoying one of the best seasons of his career in 2012 before missing three games with a rare and potentially fatal shoulder separation. The Steelers won two of three games without Roethlisberger, including a thrilling come-from-behind win over Baltimore in Week 13, but lost three of their final four games to finish out of the playoff hunt.