GM: Big Ben keeps getting better

PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers have begun preliminary negotiations on a new contract.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert acknowledged the contract talks Tuesday, saying that Roethlisberger still has growth potential even though the star quarterback turns 33 in less than a month.

Roethlisberger, who became the first player in Steelers franchise history to win a league passing title last season, is entering the final year of an eight-year, $102 million deal he signed in 2008.

"I really think Ben is going to be a better quarterback down the road than he is at this point," Colbert said Tuesday. "Ben is a franchise quarterback that's getting better with age."

Colbert said the Steelers have no concerns about getting a new deal done with Roethlisberger, who established career highs last season in passing yards (4,952), completions (408) and completion rate (67.1 percent).

"When you have two parties that want to achieve the same goal, it is about working out the details," Colbert said. "It could happen quickly. It could take awhile."

Roethlisberger has said he wants to play his entire career with the Steelers, and three of his four 4,000-yard passing seasons have come since he turned 29.

Colbert compared Roethlisberger to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as far as his belief that the three-time Pro Bowler can play at a high level well into his 30s.

The general manager also said the Steelers expect Roethlisberger, who shared the 2014 NFL passing title with Drew Brees, to continue improving because the team anticipates running back Le'Veon Bell and wide receivers Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton all improving as well.

"I think those guys have another level they can reach," Colbert said.

The Steelers should be able to lower Roethlisberger's salary-cap hit of $18.395 million in 2015 by signing the 11-year veteran to a long-term contract. But Colbert said the Steelers have not set any deadlines as far as getting a deal done, even though free agency starts March 10.

Pittsburgh is $2.734 million under the projected salary cap of $140 million for 2015, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Colbert said the Steelers should be able to create enough room under the cap to keep their priority free agents and pursue free agents from other teams.