Steelers receiver Mike Wallace has been ruled out of Sunday’s season finale with a hamstring injury, and as a soon-to-be free agent, he acknowledged today that he has considered the possibility that he has played his last game for the Steelers.
“I definitely don‘t want to go out like that,” Wallace said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I really want to end on a high note. I‘ve got big plans no matter the situation. I have big plans for myself and my family. Hopefully everything will go in a positive manner.”
After missing the entire offseason before eventually signing the restricted free agent tender this year, Wallace had a disappointing 2012 season, with 64 catches for 836 yards. Once arguably the NFL’s best deep threat, Wallace’s average of 13.1 yards per catch this season was the worst of his career by three and a half yards.
“Obviously this season didn‘t go where I wanted it to go. I‘m happy with the start of my career, and I feel like I‘m on the path to doing some great things,” Wallace said.
The Steelers could keep Wallace by putting the franchise tag on him, but the franchise number is expected to be $10.3 million for receivers next season, and guaranteeing more than $10 million to a guy who only had 836 receiving yards seems unlike the Steelers. Wallace may soon get a chance to find out how much he’s worth on the open market.
