The Pittsburgh Steelers and longtime starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reportedly aren't close to finalizing an extension as he enters the final season of his four-year, $87.4 million contract.

On Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported "no deal is imminent" as the value of QB contracts has skyrocketed since Big Ben signed his last deal.

"A good barometer might just be the 2020 franchise tag numbers, which one league source estimates will be around $28 million, depending on the salary cap," Fowler noted about a potential annual base salary. "Reaching or exceeding that number would place Roethlisberger in the top tier."

The 37-year-old Miami (Ohio) product is tied with the Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson and the New York Giants' Eli Manning in total cash for 2019 at $17 million. That ranks 12th among quarterbacks, with the Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan leading the way at $44.75 million, per Spotrac.

Roethlisberger, who flirted with the idea of retirement in recent years, had a different tune about his outlook following the 2018 season.

"I feel like in as good as shape as I've been in in a long time," he told reporters. "I enjoy playing this game. The trainer has really made me better, put me in the best shape of my life. Arguably [just had] one of the best seasons of my life. The linemen keep me healthy, and so I really feel like my best football is still ahead of me. I really feel that way."

The six-time Pro Bowl selection completed 67 percent of his throws for a career-high 5,129 yards with 34 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while playing all 16 games in 2018.

Although a new deal isn't already in place, Fowler reported there's "no palpable tension here," and an extension is expected to get done.

The bigger short-term concern for Roethlisberger is getting ready to lead an offense without top target Antonio Brown, who was traded to the Oakland Raiders after a drama-filled finish to last season.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is ready to step into the No. 1 receiver role, but the rest of the team's pass-catching options are unproven, which will likely make it difficult for the Steelers' signal-caller to match his 2018 production.