Jan 31, 2017 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – Steelers president Art Rooney II expects to have quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back in 2017. And if Rooney has his way, the Steelers also will have Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell locked up to long-term contracts.

Speaking to a select group of reporters Tuesday, Rooney said he recently had a conversation with Roethlisberger regarding his future and doesn’t expect the Steelers’ franchise quarterback to retire anytime soon.

Roethlisberger created a stir last week when he told KDKA-FM that he wanted speak with his family before making a decision about playing in 2017. The Steelers had lost, 36-17, two days earlier at New England in the AFC Championship, ending their season.

“I think it’s probably a combination of things, coming off a long season, a tough loss and his stage of his career,” Rooney said of the 34-year-old quarterback. “It’s not crazy to have thoughts such as, ‘What’s the rest of my career going to be like?’ I think we had a good conversation. Obviously, he’s got to make his decision and I expect he’ll be back.”

That season-ending loss kicked things into high gear for the Steelers, who have a plethora of things to address before training camp next July at Saint Vincent College.

One of those is looking at the quarterback position, which Rooney said the Steelers need to address regardless of Roethlisberger’s status. Backup Landry Jones went 1-1 in two starts and will be an unrestricted free agent.

“The quarterback position is one that you like to have some depth at,” Rooney said. “Truth be told, we were probably a little thinner there than we might like. I think it is something we’ve got to look at this offseason. Even if Ben never said what he said, it’s something we would still be look at anyway.”

Signing Bell and Brown to extensions also will be a priorities.

Bell, who led the AFC with 1,884 yards from scrimmage, will become an unrestricted free agent March 9. The Steelers can work out a long-term deal with the former second-round draft pick before then or place the franchise tag on him, meaning he would be guaranteed to make more than $12 million in 2017 on a one-year deal.

At issue is the fact Bell began each of the past two seasons on the league’s suspended list, missing five games for violations of the substance abuse policy.

“We have a lot of confidence in Le’Veon and think he has a bright future, so obviously we don’t expect he’s going to continue to have suspensions,” Rooney said. “We hope that’s in the past. I feel like that is. I feel like he understands what he needs to do to be a successful player in this league for the long term. I’m confident he’s going to be a player we can count on in the future.”

Brown is only the second player in NFL history to have four consecutive 100-catch seasons. He had 106 this year.

It has been suggested that the Steelers might want to part ways with the 28-year-old Brown because of his age, penalties for excessive celebrations and a postseason incident in which he live-streamed video from the team’s locker room following a win at Kansas City.

Rooney said he believes those are “minor” incidents and the Steelers want to get a contract worked out with their star receiver.

“I think some of the off-the-field things are, for the most part, things that don’t make a big impact on the team,” Rooney said.

“Antonio is a good person. He’s an intense competitor. He’s a highly conditioned athlete. He works as hard as probably anybody I’ve ever seen. He wants to be a successful football player.”

Brown’s agent contacted the Steelers in each of the previous two seasons in an effort to get a new contract. Each time, the Steelers moved money from future seasons into the current one. Brown now has only one year remaining on his contract.

The Steelers have more salary-cap space heading into this offseason than ever before – estimated at more than $40 million – but have 14 players, including Bell, who can become unrestricted free agents.

Rooney said improving the pass defense, pass rush and red zone offense are priorities. One of those could be helped with the return of wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who was suspended last season for violation of the league’s drug policy. He has filed paperwork with the league for reinstatement. The Steelers aren’t sure if, or even when, the talented but troubled receiver can return.

“It may be two or three months down the road,” Rooney said. “Once he gets through that process, we’ll have an ability to have more contact with him and hopefully get him in here and see where he is physically and mentally. … He’s somebody that has great potential and hopefully can get back on the right track, come here and realize some of that potential.”

Rooney said there are plans to talk with outside linebacker James Harrison about returning for 2017. … Rooney said he believes former quarterback Terry Bradshaw’s comments about head coach Mike Tomlin being a “cheerleader guy” were a lapse in judgement and that he disagreed with the comments. … The NFL inquired about the injury status of Bell prior to the season-ending loss to New England. Bell left the game after six carries with a groin injury that both he and the team said they had been managing. Rooney said the team will cooperate with the league’s investigation as to why Bell was not listed on the injury report.