Mike Wallace to Return by Week 1
By Matt Shetler
As an NBA writer, I got sick and tired of the soap opera between the Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard, as I had to write an article on Howard pretty much every day of the NBA season.
Now that the Howard saga is over, the soap opera between Mike Wallace and the Pittsburgh Steelers has taken center stage.
You can’t watch or listen to any sports network without getting your daily update on Wallace’s situation, to the point that Wallace’s hold-out has become tiring to hear about.
For those hoping that the Wallace situation would come to an end sooner, rather than later, you may be getting your wish.
ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that Wallace is expected to report to the team before the regular season begins.
The Steelers refuse to negotiate with Wallace on a new deal until he shows up and signs his one-year, $2.7 million tender.
Wallace, a starter in the Pro Bowl last season, did not take part in any of the Steelers’ offseason workouts or minicamp and has held out of training camp, meaning he’s way behind the others on learning Todd Haley’s new offense.
Being so far behind of the others, begs the question of exactly which Wallace Steelers fans will see, especially early on.
Wallace was having one of the best statistical seasons in the NFL last season with 43 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns through October. But he struggled late in the season and did not have a 100-yard game after Oct. 23 and did not have a touchdown in seven of his final eight games, including a three-catch, 26-yard performance in a 29-23 overtime playoff loss to Denver.