Steelers Free Agency 2012: No Franchise Tag For Mike Wallace

The Pittsburgh Steelers offered a first-round tender to restricted free agent Mike Wallace and some were thinking he could see some interest from other teams. A team would have to offer him a contract that the Steelers wouldn’t match, and then give up a first-round pick, in order to acquire him. Considering Wallace is a rising star in the NFL, a first-round pick is enticing.

The San Francisco 49ers and other teams have called about Wallace, according to the Sacramento Bee, but there hasn’t been any activity outside of that. Apparently, Wallace is looking for a lot of money -- like Larry Fitzgerald money.

The Steelers are in a little trouble when it comes to free agency. They’re high enough above the salary cap that they are actually purging players just to get back to zero. While they need a guard, inside linebacker and depth at safety, they don’t have the money to make a major impact in free agency. The Steelers will likely do most of their team building in the upcoming draft instead.

For more free agency updates, head to SB Nation’s Steelers blog, Behind The Steel Curtain.

The restricted free agency period will end on April 20 so the Steelers can’t rest easy until then. For more on the Steelers, visit Behind The Steel Curtain and SB Nation Pittsburgh.

The first-round tender means that any team can offer him a contract and, if the Steelers choose not to match. they can give the Steelers a first round pick in exchange for Wallace. The previous CBA set the highest tender level at first and third round picks but the new CBA drops that to just a first round pick so there’s some concern out there that a team will offer Wallace a big deal that the Steelers can’t match.

Pittsburgh has been restructuring multiple contracts in the past few weeks to create cap space so they’re in better shape than they were even a week ago. They’re confident they’ll be able to keep Wallace in Pittsburgh.

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For more on the Steelers, visit SB Nation’s Steelers blog, Behind The Steel Curtain. And for more on Pittsburgh sports, check out SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Smith was originally the Steelers’ fourth round pick in the 1999 NFL draft, coming out of Northern Colorado. He was a mainstay in the Steelers defense within a year and held that spot until injuries started derailing large portions of his last three seasons. He ends his Pittsburgh career with two Super Bowl victories.

Smith’s 2011 season ended due to injury, but back in January he was said to be healthy. It’s unclear if he’ll continue playing again. At 36 years old, and repeated injuries over the last three years, it’s quite possible he’s done.

Ward has spent his entire career with the Steelers since he joined the team back in 1998. He’s been one of the most productive and consistent receivers in history with over 12,000 yards and 85 touchdowns in his NFL career. He is the Pittsburgh franchise leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Via the Steelers release:

Hampton was a key part of the Steelers’ defense in 2011, although his numbers don’t really show it. The 325-pounder started 12 of the 13 games in which he played. He didn’t register a sack and only had 31 tackles, numbers consistent with his previous 10 NFL seasons. But the Steelers were the top scoring defense in the league, allowed the fewest yards per game and were the eighth-best team against the run.

For more on the Hampton’s situation, be sure to check out Steelers blog Behind the Steel Curtain.

Colbert sounded optimistic that he would be able to keep Wallace with the team in 2012. The team plans to place a first round tender on him but didn’t rule out using the franchise tag either.

Reports have said there is some concern among the Steelers organization that they could lose Wallace in restricted free agency.

They could place the franchise tag on him, which would guarantee he stays off the market. But Pittsburgh has serious salary cap concerns and it’s unclear if they could afford to tag him.

If they can’t franchise tag him then they would likely place a first round tender on him as a restricted free agent. And NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reported that there is concern within the organization that they could lose him if that’s what it comes down to.

If the team were to allow Ward to leave, they would be bidding farewell to a player who has come to largely define the Steelers since joining them in 1998. The 35-year-old has accumulated more than 12,000 receiving yards and scored 86 touchdowns during his 14-year career.

He’s also coming off the least productive year since his rookie campaign. Despite playing in 15 games, he made just 46 catches for 381 yards and two touchdowns. Those were all career lows, excluding his rookie year. Ward reportedly made about $3 million and had a cap hit of $3.6 million. Clearly, the Steelers will be looking to drastically reduce those figures.

If the team does indeed to go the route of franchise tagging Wallace, SB Nation Pittsburgh has the details on what it would mean:

It’ll be interesting to see what happens as this situation plays out, but it sounds like Wallace will be getting paid by Pittsburgh.

Ward has heard the chatter, and he took to his official Facebook page in hopes of stopping the rumor mill in its tracks:

It remains to be seen what the Steelers want to do, but it would be a surprise if they can’t work out a deal. Ward currently ranks No. 8 on the NFL’s all-time receptions list, tied for No. 13 for receiving touchdowns and No. 18 for receiving yards. But among players who have played for only one team, he ranks second, fourth and third, respectively. He’s an iconic player who’s identified with the black and gold, and it would be uncomfortable for everyone to see him finish his career elsewhere.

For more on Hines Ward and the Pittsburgh Steelers, visit SB Nation’s Steelers blog Behind The Steel Curtain.

Here’s a complete look at the Steelers’ free agent picture (via Mac’s Football Blog):

For more on the Steelers offseason, be sure to check out Behind the Steel Curtain.