Mike Wallace did an interview today with Sirius Satellite Radio where he made known that he would like to remain with the Steelers but is fully aware that it very well could not happen. Wallace went with the “it is a business” line. He seemed resigned to the fact that the Steelers do not have the money to keep him even if he would like to stay.
“(Pittsburgh is) where I would like to be, but we all know that it is a business and you have certain things you have to handle,” Wallace said. “So if I have to go elsewhere, you know Pittsburgh will always be in my heart, but I have to do what I have to do.”
Wallace did make known though that he only wants to go to a contender. He was asked about the Patriots and the 49ers. He said, “most definitely” when answering about joining those squads. He wanted to go to a team that he could “put over the top.” So even if it is about the money, Wallace will only play for someone who is a winner or is on the verge of winning. He does not want to go to a lower level team even if they can pay excessive dollars. That makes me feel a little better.
Wallace did make known that his agent Bus Cook and the Steelers are working on a contract for Wallace. It is good that they are already in talks. That gives the team and Wallace 20 days to get a deal done. If they can not get a deal done by March 5th Wallace could still be given the Franchise Tag if the Steelers can find the money. Wallace did not sound optimistic though about the situation.
“Yeah, we are talking, but I don`t know how far they are going to get right now because of the situation,” Wallace said. “I know that they are working hard trying to take care of it, but I don`t know. We`ll see.”
Now this could just be posturing from Wallace. Bus Cook has been down this road before. He knows he has to put the pressure on the Steelers to make this happen. He also knows that if he does not push that the money will be there when Wallace hits free agency.
Someone still has to decide to pay Wallace. Both of those teams that were mentioned above could pay him more then the Steelers could afford. This is starting to get a head of steam. That head of steam is going in the wrong direction though. I hope the Steelers get the deal done but it looks more and more likely that Wallace is headed out the door.
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