Mike Wallace stays on holdout in expensive deal demand-NFL News
Pittsburgh Steelers’ veteran wide receiver, Mike Wallace, has skipped organised team activities (OTAs), not for the first time.
The WR prefers working on his fitness and form through individual efforts back in his home town in California.
He has been following the practice schedules for all prior seasons until this year. Yet his fitness surprises even those who train and get fit in the teamwork environment.
Steelers are not worried over the player’s move as far as his fitness is concerned, but the reason behind the holdout this year is certainly bothering them.
Wallace is seeking a long-term, hefty deal from the team and the decision to miss the OTAs is aimed at drawing managers’ attention towards his deal matter.
Steelers are not interested in letting Wallace go. The team’s vice president, Art Rooney II, and general manager, Kevin Colbert, say “our intention has always been to sign Mike to a long-term contract."
So Wallace should be happy that Steelers’ top brasses want him in the team.
The entire saga does not end at the point of willingness though. It is the demand of an expensive deal that the player wants his managers to listen to and accept.
By any standards, Steelers are not going to do that. No official of the team has even hinted at the possibility of it.
Given Steelers are already through tight players’ salary budget limits, they are not going to take a step on the direction that further aggravates the situation.
As part of their efforts to consolidate their players’ salaries expense, they have parted ways with WR Hines Ward and a number of other veterans.
They have also redone deals of quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger and others.
Moreover, it is no way possible for the managers to offer him over a $100 million on his contract, which some other players have managed to win from their respective teams.
So in spite of Steelers’ willingness to renew Wallace’s contract, the issue is set to linger around the pressing demand of the player for a hefty payout, no matter how long he remains on the holdout.
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