Mike Wallace May Get Long-term Contract Soon : Pittsburgh Steelers

Nearly a week after wide receiver Mike Wallace finally decided to report to the Pittsburgh Steelers, negotiations for a long-term deal have resurfaced.

General manager Kevin Colbert stated that the organization would continue talks of a long-term contract with Wallace once he signed his $2.7 million tender.

The Pro Bowl receiver hasn’t participated in any activities with the Steelers this entire offseason. His only form of conditioning this summer was with a personal trainer in Orlando, FL.

I’m not too sure if Wallace will get a long-term deal this season. Pittsburgh has already given wide receiver Antonio Brown a contract extension worth $42.5 million after Wallace reportedly turned down a $50 million offer.

Let’s not forget that Pittsburgh has the franchise tag that they can use on the four-year veteran during the 2013 season. If Wallace were tagged next season, he would make approximately $11 million, which would be the most that he has made in a single season.

It’s safe to say that a deal won’t be done, if at all, before the season opener versus the Denver Broncos, and it won’t be done any time shortly after. My guess is that Wallace’s production on the field will dictate how soon Colbert offers him a long-term contract.

The team’s leading receiver will have a tough time proving his case on the field early in the season because of offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s new offensive playbook. I think that Wallace should be completely up to speed with the new offense after their bye week in Week 4.

Wallace should consider himself lucky for there still being a chance for him to get a long-term deal from Pittsburgh. The Steelers have a long-standing reputation of a no-nonsense approach when it comes to business.

Pittsburgh’s organization has always shown their loyalty to their players, and having a long-term deal still possible for Wallace reinforces that loyalty. I just hope that Wallace shows his loyalty with his production on the field.