Ben Roethlisberger Steelers Extension: Top Takeaways from Press Conference

At a press conference Friday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed they signed Ben Roethlisberger to a new five-year contract.

Over his 11 years with the organization, Roethlisberger has thrown for 39,057 yards and 251 touchdowns, both of which place him first in Pittsburgh's record books by some distance. Ryan Clark, a teammate of Roethlisberger's from 2006 to 2013, felt the Steelers quarterback had fully earned his extension:

One of the broader impressions one gleaned from the press conference was just how much Roethlisberger has bought into the Steelers' organizational philosophy and how management has come to believe he symbolizes said philosophy.

Roethlisberger is 33 years old. This new deal could very well see him through to the end of his career. At the press conference, he spoke about his desire to remain in Pittsburgh:

Steelers co-owner Art Rooney II stated how much the quarterback has meant to the franchise:

Back in November 2013, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Roethlisberger was potentially angling for a move away from Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger and the Steelers have always denied the rumors, and on Friday, he again questioned the validity of the initial report, per NBC Sports' Ryan Burr:

Indeed, Roethlisberger is fully focused on the future. He spoke about his desire to win a third Super Bowl ring with the Steelers.

Per Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith: "Our first and foremost goal is winning Lombardi Trophies. I think we've got a good young football team with a lot of talent and a lot of ability, and that's what I said coming over here—is there room in that trophy case for more trophies? Because that's got to be our goal."

Of course, it would be inaccurate to say that this contract will guarantee Roethlisberger never leaves the Steelers. Joe Montana playing in Kansas City and Peyton Manning joining the Denver Broncos would've been unthinkable until both actually happened.

Barring an unforeseen circumstance, though, it's a very good bet that Big Ben starts and finishes his career in Pittsburgh.