Big Ben hopeful arm has improved, calls pay cut 'necessary' for Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger finds himself making a few key adjustments ahead of his 18th NFL campaign.

More than a year removed from major elbow surgery, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said Tuesday that he expects his arm to feel significantly better due to increased rest.

"I took a lot of time off from throwing this offseason," Roethlisberger told reporters, according to NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala. "I really hope and pray it will pay dividends."

"You know, I had total reconstruction on my elbow," he added, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "That might have something to do with (lacking deep ball production in 2020). But no excuses."

Following a season in which he averaged a career-low 6.3 yards per attempt, many evaluators wondered whether Roethlisberger would return in 2021.

However, the 39-year-old offered to take a pay cut in the offseason, saying "it was necessary" to help the Steelers, according to Kinkhabwala.

"If they wanted me back, I felt I could give them everything I got," he said.

He continued: "I'm black and gold through and through. I want to be here. I don't want to be anywhere else."

Pittsburgh will return most of its weapons this year, though the team lost 2020 starters Maurkice Pouncey, Alejandro Villanueva, and Matt Feiler along the offensive line.