Report: Steelers 'working hard' to extend Big Ben before draft

Big Ben is close to becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler for life.

The Steelers are "working hard" to complete a contract extension with Ben Roethlisberger before Thursday's draft, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 37-year-old has one year left on his deal, and Pittsburgh has made it clear the team still views him as its starter for the foreseeable future.

Roethlisberger is currently the 13th highest-paid quarterback, earning $21.85 million per season on a contract signed in 2015. Since then, the top of the quarterback market has skyrocketed, with Russell Wilson recently inking a league-leading extension worth $35 million annually.

While Roethlisberger is unlikely to top Wilson's deal - or Aaron Rodgers' $33.5-million per year pact - he could become the third passer, along with Matt Ryan, to break the $30-million mark.

The two-time Super Bowl winner threw for a career-high 34 touchdowns and 5,129 yards in 2018. He'll be without top target Antonio Brown going forward after the receiver was traded to the Oakland Raiders.

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