Steelers Free Agency 2013: Mike Wallace signs with Dolphins
By Matt Shetler
Since his contract holdout during training camp a season ago, Pittsburgh Steelers’ fans knew this day was coming- the day that Mike Wallace signed with another team as an unrestricted free agent.
Wallace was the prize of this year’s free agent class and cashed in in a big way, signing a five-year, $65 million contract with the Miami Dolphins according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It is also being reported that $30 million of Wallace’s new contract is guaranteed money.
And @ClaytonESPN reports Dolphins give Mike Wallace a five-year deal worth up to $65 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2013
October 21, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) turns upfield after a reception against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
The four-year pro out of Mississippi is coming off a down season by his standards, but still racked up 64 catches for 836 yards and eight touchdowns. It marked the first time since his rookie season that he failed to reach the 1,000-yard plateau. But even though Wallace is without a doubt the best deep threat in the game today, he is so much more than that.
During his four years in a Steelers uniform, Wallace averaged 59 catches, 1,017 yards and eight touchdowns per season.
The now former Steeler gets into the end zone, which is the name of the game, as only one other pass catcher in the league can say he has at least eight touchdown receptions or more in the past three seasons.
Given their current situation, that’s production the Steelers simply can’t replace.
The Dolphins get a dynamic playmaker that can make plays all over the field.
The Steelers on the other hand are hoping they didn’t make a grave mistake by giving fellow receiver Antonio Brown a big contract during training camp last season.
Steelers’ fans soured on Wallace during the 2012 campaign thanks to maybe some attitude issues and a few drops during the season.
But one thing is clear and that’s the Steelers will miss Wallace in a big way.
Just wait until the second week of the season when Brown is getting double and triple teamed and there is no one else good enough to get open.
The Steelers had their chance to sign Wallace to a long-term deal and chose not to.
Right now it looks like they made the wrong choice.
Keep checking back to City of Champions Sports for all of the wheeling’s and dealings now that free agency has begun.