Ben Roethlisberger remains in limbo as the Pittsburgh Steelers determine whether they can find a path forward with their franchise quarterback.

NFL Network reported on Monday that Roethlisberger and the Steelers have not scheduled the expected contract talks pegged as integral in determining whether he will return to the team in 2021.

Roethlisberger, who has the highest salary-cap number in the NFL for the 2021 season at $41.25 million, has said publicly he would accept a pay cut to play in Pittsburgh next season.

One week has passed since Steelers team president Kevin Colbert informed the media in vague terms that Roethsliberger’s status for 2021 was to be determined.

“He reiterated to us that he wants to continue to play. We told him we have to look at this current situation,” Colbert said.

Colbert described Roethlisberger as being a member of the team “as we sit here today” on February 17.

One possible reason for the delay: Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin tested positive for COVID-19.

It’s unclear how Tomlin’s health might factor into the ongoing cliffhanger with the Steelers.

Owner Art Rooney II said in January that Big Ben’s 18th season with the Steelers couldn’t happen under the terms of his current contract. Roethlisberger is due to earn $19 million next season, with $4 million in salary and $15 million coming as a roster bonus on the third day of the 2021 league year.

“We’ve left that door open,” Rooney said. “We’ve been up front with Ben in letting him know that we couldn’t have him back under the current contract.”

Roethlisberger turns 39 on March 2. He threw for 3,803 yards with 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 15 games this season. The two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowl selection said after Pittsburgh’s wild-card playoff loss to Cleveland on Jan. 10 that he has not made a decision about his future.

Roethlisberger threw for 501 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions in the 48-37 loss to the Browns.

Roethlisberger’s agent, Ryan Tollner, reiterated last month to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the longtime Steelers star would be amenable to making things work for the team.

“Ben knows he has more left, but having key players back … will be important,” Tollner told the Gazette. “Ben’s contract won’t hold things up. We told them immediately after the season we will make any necessary adjustment to help their cap situation in 2021.”

Roethlisberger has thrown for 60,348 yards with 396 touchdowns and 201 interceptions in 233 career games since Pittsburgh selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft.

–Field Level Media

Ben Roethlisberger met with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Kevin Colbert and owner Art Rooney to discuss his future in Pittsburgh.

Colbert said Wednesday that Roethlisberger stated his desire to be part of the team in 2021. Ultimately, however, the decision might not be Roethlisberger’s to make as Colbert repeated to the quarterback the message Rooney already had delivered — there are no guarantees.

“He reiterated to us that he wants to continue to play. We told him we have to look at this current situation,” Colbert said.

Colbert also couched Roethlisberger’s spot on the roster with an ominous qualifier: “As we sit here today.” He said the primary factor that must be resolved before talks can continue is the team’s overall salary cap situation.

The conversation was the first between the two sides since the retirement of center Maurkice Pouncey. Previously, Roethlisberger’s agent said Pouncey’s return to the Steelers would be a factor in the quarterback’s decision to continue playing.

Rooney said in January that Big Ben’s 18th season with the Steelers could not come with the contracted $41.25 million salary-cap hit. Roethlisberger is due to earn $19 million next season, with $4 million in salary and $15 million coming as a roster bonus on the third day of the 2021 league year.

“We’ve left that door open,” Rooney said. “We’ve been up front with Ben in letting him know that we couldn’t have him back under the current contract.”

Roethlisberger, who turns 39 in March, threw for 3,803 yards with 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 15 games this season. The two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowl selection said after Pittsburgh’s wild-card playoff loss to Cleveland on Jan. 10 that he has not made a decision about his future.

Roethlisberger threw for 501 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions in the 48-37 loss to the Browns.

Roethlisberger’s agent, Ryan Tollner, reiterated last month to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the longtime Steelers star would be amenable to making things work for the team.

“Ben knows he has more left, but having key players back, like (Maurkice) Pouncey, will be important,” Tollner told the Gazette. “Ben’s contract won’t hold things up. We told them immediately after the season we will make any necessary adjustment to help their cap situation in 2021.”

Roethlisberger has thrown for 60,348 yards with 396 touchdowns and 201 interceptions in 233 career games since Pittsburgh selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft.

–Field Level Media

The unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the Cincinnati Bengals as if quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be on the field.

The 38-year-old Roethlisberger is on the reserve/COVID-19 list due to being considered a high-risk close contract of tight end Vance McDonald, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

Roethlisberger was placed on the list Tuesday. If he continues to test negative and avoids the development of symptoms, he would be eligible to come off the list on Saturday.

Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner doesn’t see the lack of practice time as a problem when it comes to Roethlisberger playing in Sunday’s home contest.

“We’ll prepare and continue to prepare as if Ben is playing,” Fichtner told reporters on Thursday. “… There’s been various times in his career where he has not practiced all week and played in games and played successful in games. I don’t question that one bit.”

Backup quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs are both receiving extra work with the first team this week. There hasn’t been a declaration over who would start if Roethlisberger can’t.

“Mason is taking reps,” Fichtner said. “Josh is taking reps. I don’t know if it’s equal reps, but we’re preparing both just like we would every week. They just get a few more reps this week on Thursday and Friday.”

Rudolph started eight games last season when Roethlisberger was sidelined with an elbow injury. Overall, he saw action in 10 games and passed for 1,765 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Dobbs has never started an NFL game. He saw action in five games as a reserve in 2018 and was 6-of-12 passing for 43 yards and one interception.

Meanwhile, Roethlisberger is staying engaged by participating in virtual meetings and communicating with the coaching staff.

“He’s been great, because obviously he’s accessible,” Fichtner said. “He’s got plenty of free time. We’re the ones that have to make the time to fit. … Ben likes to text, so we get texts at night and go back and forth about a lot of things. … It’s as if he’s been in the room.”

Roethlisberger has passed for 1,934 yards and 18 touchdowns against four interceptions this season.

Three other Steelers joined Roethlisberger on the COVID-19 list — offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins, running back Jaylen Samuels and linebacker Vince Williams.

–Field Level Media