Report: Steelers suspend talks with holdout Wallace
Wide receiver Mike Wallace has failed to report to the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp Wednesday and the team reportedly has said it has suspended long-term contract negotiations with him.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the Steelers sources said the team will let Wallace, a restricted free agent, decide if he wants to report and sign a one-year tender worth $2.472 million or stay away.
He is the NFL's only restricted free agent who has not signed a deal.
"Obviously Mike Wallace was not here today," coach Mike Tolmin told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I don't know when he's going to be here. Obviously we have a desire for him to be here. We want him to be a part of this thing both short term and long term. We've been in negotiations with him. He's not here today. It's unfortunate for him.
"One thing that experience has taught me is that this is bigger than all of us. It's bigger than Mike, it's bigger than me, so I mean that when I say it's unfortunate for him that he's not here."
The fourth-year player, who was selected to the Pro Bowl last season, cannot practice until he signs a contract.
"I'm less concerned about negotiations from a coach's standpoint," Tomlin said. "I want the player here. We've extended a tender to him; of course, he hasn't signed it. But I'm focused on the guys here working so I won't focus on him until he gets here."
During a separate press conference, Steelers president Art Rooney II would not comment on Wallace's holdout.
Wallace caught 72 passes for 1,193 yards last season. He has 171 catches for 3,206 in three NFL seasons.
