Mike Wallace and Steelers End Contract Negotiations

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers have suspended contract talks with unsigned restricted free agent Mike Wallace until he signs his one-year, $2.472 million tender and reports to the team.

Per beat writer Ed Bouchette, a multi-year contract offer that was on the table has been "basically rescinded." Bouchette recalls Hines Ward's 2005 holdout, which lasted two weeks into training camp. Ward ultimately caved and received a new four-year deal three weeks later. The Steelers have formally decided to play hardball with Wallace. They're leaving the next move up to him.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin held a press conference Wednesday and addressed unsigned restricted free agent Mike Wallace's holdout.

"We’ve been in negotiations with him," Tomlin said. "He’s not here today. It’s unfortunate for him. One thing that experience has taught me is that this is bigger than all of us. It’s bigger than Mike, it’s bigger than me, so I mean that when I say it’s unfortunate for him that he’s not here." The Steelers have cut off contract deliberations with Wallace until he caves and signs his one-year restricted tender. "What I’m going to do is work with Emmanuel Sanders," said Tomlin. "Because he’s here, and be excited about doing it."

[krulmichael]

Detroit could use another receiver.

[steeljake]

it's how Pittsburgh always does it... he will sign the tender.

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirms the Steelers will not be giving unsigned restricted free agent Mike Wallace a long-term deal after committing $42.5 million to teammate Antonio Brown.

Bouchette's colleague, Gerry Dulac, essentially said the same thing. The Steelers were already one of the NFL's tightest teams up against the salary cap, and the Brown deal increased his cap cost, if only slightly. Still, the Steelers won't be satisfying Wallace's long-term demands, and he'll have to sign his one-year, $2.742 million tender in order to play football in Pittsburgh. The organization could consider trading him before the season, or keeping him if he caves and franchise-tagging Wallace in 2013.

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette estimates restricted free agent Mike Wallace wouldn't net the Steelers more than a fourth-round pick in a trade.

Beat writer Ed Bouchette bases his guess on the fact that no one was willing to surrender a first-round pick for Wallace in the offseason, and because Pittsburgh could net only a fifth-round pick when it dealt Santonio Holmes in April 2010. Holmes, of course, was facing a four-game suspension at the time -- severely undercutting his trade value. The Steelers can get a third-round pick as compensation if Wallace walks in 2013. It's hard to imagine they would settle for less than a second-rounder in a trade.

[Woy]

I'd deal a second-rounder for him in a heartbeat.

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert told ESPN's Ed Werder that unsigned restricted free agent Mike Wallace is "not available for trade."

Several Pittsburgh beat reporters suggested Wallace could be available for trade following Antonio Brown's extension. The Steelers are conducting business as if Wallace won't be on the team. Tweeted the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac on Saturday, "It's probably safe to assume now that Mike Wallace no longer has Mike Tomlin's support." In an ideal world for the Steelers' organization, Wallace would cave, sign his tender, and agree to play this season "motivated" in a contract year. If that doesn't happen at some point in the preseason, Colbert may change his tune and begin fielding trade offers.

[Apocalypse]

[RosettaStoned]

He pretty much has to sign. Even if he sits out a year he will still owe the Steelers a year.

[Prodigal Son]

He pretty much has to sign. Even if he sits out a year he will still owe the Steelers a year.

Isn't Wallace a restricted Free Agent? Meaning he has no contract, so he doesn't have to make up a year.

[Saluki]

I got Brown on my keeper team, so F Mike Wallace

Sent from my HTC MyTouch4G using Tapatalk 2

[RosettaStoned]

Isn't Wallace a restricted Free Agent? Meaning he has no contract, so he doesn't have to make up a year.

Yeah I guess I should explain.

He is a restricted free agent, but the Steelers still own his rights therefore he's not going anywhere because he can be franchised. He has to play 6 games this year or he's not going anywhere.

Dude has no leverage, and he fucked himself by not signing the $50 million or whatever they offered.