Roethlisberger contract details released

Ben Roethlisberger's contract extension signed him to be paid at least $99 million over the next five seasons with the possibility of reaching $108 million should he achieve different contract incentives.

As Jeff Hartman reported yesterday, the contract would be very front heavy and guarantees $65 million to Roethlisberger over the first 3 years and could set the trend for how future contracts are structured for franchise quarterbacks.

Today Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, released the complete contract details which outline how and when Roethlisberger is to be paid in the coming seasons.

The 33-year-old signal caller of Pittsburgh receieved a $31 million signing bonus along with a roster bonus of $4.25 million, both of which he is eligible to receive in 2015.

As for his salary for each year in the contract, Roethlisberger is scheduled to be paid $17.75 million in 2016, $12 million in 2017, $17 million in 2018 and $17 million in 2019.  This means Roethlisberger will be paid $53 million in his next two years as a Steeler, more than half of the $99 million base salary.

For Ben to qualify for the extra $9 million that would get him to a total of $108 million in his contract, he must achieve specific, yet undisclosed, team and individual incentives within the first three years of his contract.  Should he do so, he would be paid the additional $9 million spread across the final two years of his contract extension.