PITTSBURGH - With about two weeks until training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers and first-round draft pick Ben Roethlisberger are hopeful they will sign a contract and he will make it on time.

The Steelers' chief contract negotiator, Omar Khan, last week met with Roethlisberger's agents, including Leigh Steinberg, who has represented most of the Steelers' starting quarterbacks since 1990.

Steinberg described the meeting as "upbeat and positive" and contract terms weren't discussed, because only one first-round draft pick has been signed (Houston Texans linebacker Jason Babin) and because it's unclear how much room the Steelers have under the salary cap.

"We are not concerned," Steinberg said. "Ben, from the first day he was drafted, has been there for every mini-camp and participated in every activity that he's been allowed to and is totally excited about being a part of the Steelers. ... We are committed to having him in camp on time."

The first quarterback the Steelers drafted in the first round since Neil O'Donnell in 1990, Roethlisberger is almost assured of being one of Pittsburgh's highest paid players. He could get a signing bonus of as much as $9 million.

The Steelers created some salary-cap room in June by cutting former All-Pro linebacker Jason Gildon. The Steelers saved themselves Gildon's $3.65 million salary but still must count $1.3 million of his deferred signing bonus against their 2004 cap and $2.6 million next year.

Days later, the Steelers reworked quarterback Tommy Maddox's contract.

The Steelers also have yet to sign four other draft picks - cornerback Ricardo Colclough (second round), offensive tackle Max Starks (third round), linebacker Nathaniel Adibi (fifth round) and tackle Bo Lacy (sixth round).