The Pittsburgh Steelers' two highest-profile offensive players to sign over the first two days of free agency had one common thread: Ben Roethlisberger.

The money always talks this time of year, but having a top-shelf quarterback never hurts a team's cause for landing players. Just take the signings of offensive guard Ramon Foster and tight end Ladarius Green.

Offensive guard Ramon Foster, right, chose to stick with Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers rather than "chase the check" elsewhere in free agency. AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Foster told KDKA-FM 93.7 The Fan that Roethlisberger's presence helped keep him in Pittsburgh, opting not to "chase the check" (his words) somewhere else. Foster signed a three-year, $9.6-million deal with $2.75 million in signing bonus.

The Steelers know their offensive line is good, and those linemen know they need to keep Roethlisberger clean. Roethlisberger took 20 sacks in 12 regular-season starts, the best clip of his career.

As for Green, apparently the Steelers used Roethlisberger's actual voice to seal that deal.

As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert flew to Green's hometown of Pensacola, Florida, to greet Green on the first day of free agency. Apparently, Tomlin handed a phone to Green, and Roethlisberger was on the other end.

"That's one guy you always want to meet in life," said Green, according to Steelers.com. "I'm excited to talk to him and learn from him as well. ... He's a tough guy, he's a resilient guy, and he's an amazing quarterback."

The 6-foot-6 Green said he's improving as a blocker, which is necessary for tight ends in this offense. The four-year veteran should also provide a spark in the vertical passing game, which is Roethlisberger's specialty.

Green said it himself: Everybody knows about the Pittsburgh offense.

That's why he's a part of it now.