Google News Steleers QB Ben Roethlisberger: It was my idea to restructure my contract
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger claims it was his idea to take a pay cut. Roethlisberger, who was scheduled to earn $41.25 million next season, restructured his deal as he is now set to earn $36 million next season.
"It was my idea," Roethlisberger said Tuesday, speaking publicly for the first time since that postseason loss, per ESPN. "I told them I want to help the team out however we can, and so I went to them and told them that I would do whatever I could to help the team sign the guys that are going to help us win football games.
... In order to do that, to get guys here, I felt that it was necessary to do that." Roethlisberger, 39, wants to play out the next season and then he will decide his next move. "I'm going to approach this like I do every season -- like it's my last," Roethlisberger said.
"I think that's the approach you have to take. And you don't approach it that way because it could be your last, but you approach it because every single play in the game of football could be your last. Every game could be your last game.
That just means I'm going out to give it everything I have. "I have never looked towards the future. I've always looked at the right here and now, and that's what's important for me for this season is giving it everything I have right here and right now for this group of guys."
Roethlisberger admits he played bad toward the end of the season
"I didn't play well enough at the end of the season," he said.
"It's not a secret, and I'll be the first to point the thumb at myself. When the ball is in your hand every play, you have to make plays and play better football. If the quarterback, myself, isn't playing good football, that -- especially late in the season -- is related to winning and losing.
"I will take that playoff and those games on me. Just feeling worn down and not playing good enough football at the end of the season." Also, Roethlisberger's troublesome Roethlisberger is feeling well. "My arm feels great, though," he said.
"I would like to wait to answer that question until we get into more of this season and see how it feels. Right now, it feels really good."
