Mike Wallace could he leave if Pitt doesn't step up? (1 Viewer)

[Godsbrother]

Seems like him staying with the Steelers IS in doubt

Agreed. The Steelers have enough wiggle room under the cap now and I am sure they are trying to work out a deal but they aren't going to break the bank either. Wallace holds all of the cards here.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I disagree. The Steelers hold practically all of them. The only card Mike holds is one the Steelers have dealt to him: They're going to let him attempt to set his value on the open market rather than by tagging him, guaranteeing they're on the hook for over 9 million.

Wallace is restricted. He can't leave unless the Steelers allow it. They will have the opportunity to match any and all offers. If they want him to remain a Steeler, he is going to remain a Steeler.

If some team wants to frontload a crazy offer, and call it a roster bonus or whatever, and pay him 11 million in 2012, or something, then they can have him....and I'm guessing this is how the front office feels. They probably like Mike a lot, but realize he isn't a 9+million dollar player at this point...particularly when you aren't being forced to pay him as such. If another team disagrees and plunks it down, then at that point you take the pick and wish him well.

Not that long ago, everyone thought losing Holmes would kill them on O at WR. It didn't(and they didn't have two good young guys already on the roster behind him then). If it happens, losing Mike won't either. Just means they'll have to bring in a different, more affordable, deep threat.

 

[Godsbrother]

I disagree. The Steelers hold practically all of them. The only card Mike holds is one the Steelers have dealt to him: They're going to let him attempt to set his value on the open market rather than by tagging him, guaranteeing they're on the hook for over 9 million.Wallace is restricted. He can't leave unless the Steelers allow it. They will have the opportunity to match any and all offers. If they want him to remain a Steeler, he is going to remain a Steeler.If some team wants to frontload a crazy offer, and call it a roster bonus or whatever, and pay him 11 million in 2012, or something, then they can have him....and I'm guessing this is how the front office feels. They probably like Mike a lot, but realize he isn't a 9+million dollar player at this point...particularly when you aren't being forced to pay him as such. If another team disagrees and plunks it down, then at that point you take the pick and wish him well.Not that long ago, everyone thought losing Holmes would kill them on O at WR. It didn't(and they didn't have two good young guys already on the roster behind him then). If it happens, losing Mike won't either. Just means they'll have to bring in a different, more affordable, deep threat.

Wallace has already stated that given equal dough he would rather remain a Steeler. If no other team offers him a contract then he stays with the Steelers for one year playing for a first round tender which is a nice pay raise.If some other team does offer him a contract over the first round tender then he has the option to not sign it and stay with the Steelers for less money or he can sign it and force the Steelers to match the offer. If the Steelers match he gets to play on his preferred team for substantially more money. If the Steelers don't match then he gets substantially more money with the new team, which he has said will not be a problem.The only card the Steelers can play is to match or not. Yes they get a #1 if he signs elsewhere which is a nice consolation prize but they're likely looking at a decision between paying more than they want or letting a player they really want go to another team.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

With the release of Hines... the Steelers currently sit at 117.5 million.

With the release of Kemoeatu they are now at about 111.6 million.*Note, these numbers do not reflect any possible "dead-money" which would all be realized this year because of the timing of the cuts.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

With the release of Hines... the Steelers currently sit at 117.5 million.

With the release of Kemoeatu they are now at about 111.6 million.*Note, these numbers do not reflect any possible "dead-money" which would all be realized this year because of the timing of the cuts.

Aaron Smith released.Cap now at 109.5 million.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

According to Bouchette the Steelers saved $3.5 mill on 2012 cap by cutting Kemo.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

According to Bouchette the Steelers saved $3.5 mill on 2012 cap by cutting Kemo.

So his release will have about 1.4m in dead money for this year only.Putting the team at 111 million or so.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Yes now $9.7 under the cap according to Bouchette. Still more room to move when Farrior is cut and/if others are restructured..

 

[5-ish Finkle]

The only card the Steelers can play is to match or not.

This is the only card that matters. It is the card that ultimately gives them the control on where Wallace winds up for '12.And actually, there's still at least one more card: They can also work on extending him long-term for the next two weeks and avoid the entire RFA process altogether. It may not be an "Ace", but it is definitely a card that they alone(for now) hold.