Steelers reportedly reworking Ben Roethlisberger’s contract

Ben Roethlisberger is on the books for the fourth highest NFL quarterback salary in 2013. (Karl Walter/Getty Images)

A day after Tom Brady inked a team-friendly extension with the Patriots, another AFC rival is reportedly reworking a quarterback’s contract to gain some cap relief.

The Steelers have been working on a renegotiated contract for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, according to a source in a report by Albert Breer of NFL.com. An agreement could come by the end of the week.

Unlike Brady’s extension, the Steelers are looking to rework — not extend — Roethlisberger’s current contract that has three years remaining. He is scheduled to take up a salary-cap figure of $19.595 million in 2013 — the fourth highest among NFL quarterbacks — for a Steelers team that could wind up with 10 players taking up more than $100 million in cap space.

Roethlisberger is unlikely to lose money in a restructured deal. A portion of his 2013 salary could be converted into a bonus, which would then be pro-rated over the life of the contract and give the team some salary cap relief. The Steelers traditionally have extended their quarterbacks with two years remaining, lining Roethlisberger up for a new contract after the 2013 season.

The Steelers are also reportedly talking new deals for James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons, while scheduling a visit from free agent receiver Steve Breaston this week.