Steelers/NFL
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has restructured his contract for the 2012 season, saving the Steelers approximately $8 million in cap space.
The Steelers entered today nearly $8.85 million above the projected salary cap.
Linebacker James Harrison now carries the highest cap hit at $9.430 million. Harrison is open to restructuring and likely will at somepoint, but Harrison’s agent Bill Parise tells us there have been no new discussions since a few weeks ago when the Steelers approached Harrison about the possibility. If the Steelers ask Harrison to restructure, he will.
Harrison is due a base salary of $5.315 million and turning the highest amount possible of his base salary into a signing bonus will save the Steelers over $4 million in cap space.
COMBINE TIDBITS
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert spoke with the media today in Indianapolis on a various of subjects:
*Colbert is optimistic about retaining Mike Wallace: “We want Mike to finish his career with the Steelers and I’m very confident that Mike wants to finish his career with the Steelers and play with a great quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger,” Colbert said.”
Colbert said the team is unlikely to use the franchise tag on the 25 year old receiver.
More and more I’m hearing a lot of doubts that there’s actually going to be a team out there that makes an offer, willing to risk a first round pick.
*Colbert told the media that he expects Casey Hampton to return in 2012 with the Steelers. Hampton in the last year of his deal, carries an $8.056 million cap hit and will be coming off ACL surgery. Hampton is expected to begin 2012 on the PUP list. He is due a base salary of $4.89 million and a $1 million workout bonus. One thing to watch is that there are whispers coming out of Hampton’s camp that he won’t take a paycut as he’s due $5.89 million. Hampton’s agent Brian Overstreet told me today the Steelers have not approached him about Hampton taking a paycut.
* All signs continue to point to the Steelers and Byron Leftwich reaching an agreement for Leftwich to be the team’s No. 2 quarterback. There is strong mutual interest from both sides and the Steelers are also hopeful to resign Charlie Batch who is being sought as the team’s No. 3 QB. The team will not make an attempt to sign Dennis Dixon.
