PITTSBURGH — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he will decide soon whether to punish Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for his off-the-field troubles.

"I think he understands how important the personal-conduct policy is to the NFL," Goodell said while attending a dinner honoring Steelers chairman Dan Rooney on Wednesday night. "And I hope he has a better understanding of how important it is for everybody in the league.

"We'll continue to gather more information. We'll continue to have that analysis done and we'll consider it and make a decision in the near future," he added.

Goodell and Roethlisberger met for several hours Tuesday in New York, one day after Roethlisberger learned he would not be charged for the alleged sexual assault of a Georgia college student.

Roethlisberger took part in offseason conditioning work for the first time this spring on Wednesday.