Steelers GM: Roethlisberger 'doesn't have an expiration date'

Once thought to be on the brink of retirement, Ben Roethlisberger now appears in it for the long haul.

The Pittsburgh Steelers recently finalized a two-year contract extension with Roethlisberger, but general manager Kevin Colbert suggested the quarterback could play beyond his new deal.

"I know he doesn't have an expiration date," Colbert told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "We just felt that that was a foreseeable future that we were able to do, and he was agreeable to. But I'm sure that he doesn't have an expiration date. I know that he's still very competitive. He still wants to do this at a high level.

"He doesn't need money, he doesn't need Hall of Fame credentials in my opinion," he continued. "He's already achieved both of those. What he wants is more Super Bowls. And he wants to continue to try to win, and we're gonna support that. And that was a big part of why we were willing to do what we did, and now it's our job to help him help us get there."

Pittsburgh has anointed Roethlisberger the team's leader despite criticism from former teammates Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell, and others.

The 37-year-old led the league in passing yards with 5,129 in the 2018 season, eclipsing the 5,000-yard mark for the first time in his 15-year career. The six-time Pro Bowler added a career-high 34 touchdown passes while throwing 16 interceptions.