In an interview with local station 105.9 The X, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert covered many topics, including the likely release of Hines Ward and Rashard Mendenhall's injury. But something else that came up was the organization's commitment to re-sign wide receiver Mike Wallace when free agency begins.
Mike Wallace will be a restricted free agent and there are different levels that he can be tendered and we are certainly going to protect our interest there because Mike has proven himself to be a Pro Bowl player, who still hasn't fully reached his potential. We hope that Mike is going to be here for years to come and really it reflects on not on one player versus another but really it's our 53 man roster and what those cap numbers will be for the whole group collectively, and how we can manage it. But it will always be with the philosophy that we want to keep our young and ascending players right here with us.
Wallace is definitely a rising talent who has proved his worth for the Steelers the last few years. There's really no question he'll be back next year; the only issue is how the Steelers handle him going forward.
For more on the Steelers offseason, check out this SB Nation Pittsburgh StoryStream. For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.