Maurkice Pouncey contract extension leaves Ben Roethlisberger next in line

The Pittsburgh Steelers extended a Pro Bowl player's contract, but it wasn't quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's deal that was done.

Maurkice Pouncey was rewarded with a hefty extension that will keep him in a Steelers uniform for another six years at just over $8 million dollars a year.

What does this do to Roethlisberger's potential deal? It essentially means that if his contract is re-done, it won't be before this season. Roethlisberger is due a major pay day, and with one year on his deal after the 2014 season the Steelers have exhausted nearly all of their funds on the Pouncey extension.

This isn't to say that Roethlisberger's deal won't get done, just that with two rookies still to ink their first pro contract, and Pouncey getting a nice chunk of change, Roethlisberger will most likely become priority No. 1 in the upcoming offseason.

This may make some fans extremely uneasy about the future of their franchise quarterback, but with no heir apparent behind Roethlisberger, it is safe to say that the organization stands behind Art Rooney II statement about wanting Roethlisberger to retire a Steeler.

History shows that the Steelers take care of their own, whether it be a coach or a player, and just as they did with Pouncey, Roethlisberger would certainly fall into that category too.