Mike Wallace’s NFL career got off to a strong start when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2009, he went to the Pro Bowl in 2011 and it was looking like he would be the next big receiver in the NFL.
Fast forward to 2016 and after a disappointing 39 catch, 473 yard and two receiving touchdown season, Wallace was being prompted by the Vikings to take a dramatic pay cut for the remainder of his five-year, $60 million deal he signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2013 before getting dealt to Minnesota. The two sides couldn’t agree on a deal and now Wallace is a free agent.
Following from Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
#Vikings are releasing Mike Wallace, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2016
It was a pay cut or release for Mike Wallace, who was due $11.5 million in 2016. Now he'll hit the market.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2016
Wallace has only missed on game in his NFL career so his dramatic fall has nothing to do with any external factors besides Wallace. Granted, last season the Minnesota Vikings offense was the least productive Wallace has been on in his career but he totaled the fewest catches, yards and yards per reception of any season in his career.
He’ll enter the 2016 season as a 30-year-old so he might get at least one more chance to prove himself in the NFL.
