WR signed to long term deal, but it's not Wallace

[Chris Raiden]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ong-term-deal/

The Steelers signed WR Antonio Brown, their other great young receiver, to a six year, $42.5 million contract.

Subsequently, Mike Wallace reportedly will not be receiving an extension this year, and could be franchised next year.

[BigBenCan7]

Actually only five years for Brown, but regardless, I'd rather the contract go to Mike Wallace. The Steelers are banking hard on one year from Brown, and have refused to negotiate with Wallace's two Pro Bowl caliber years. While Mike Wallace has been unreasonable about his worth so far (asking for Fitzgerald and Megatron money) I'd still rather Wallace be locked up long term right now. He needs to learn Haley's offense and he's hurting both himself and the team by not being in camp.

This is clearly a message being sent by the Steelers that not only are they prepared to move on without Wallace, they are also willing to offer a reasonable long term contract when it is deserved. I do not enjoy what is happening with Wallace and the Steelers; this is the most public and nasty hold out for the Steelers since Hines Ward prior to the 2005 season. The Steelers won the Super Bowl that year, but they didn't have an entirely new offense to install. We'll see how Wallace is able to bounce back from his second half slump of last year given his unofficial holdout going into the new year. At least we won't have the same problem next year with Antonio, I suppose.

[Sascha]

It's smart to lock up Brown, regardless of where they stand with Wallace. Like you said, he's asking for Fitz and Calvin money, and if that's true, then the two sides are probably miles apart. I'm sure they'll come to a resolution with Wallace, but still better to have Brown and nobody then nobody at all.

[Chris Raiden]

Apparently, the new rumbling is he's looking for Vincent Jackson type money, not Fitz.

And, apparently, the Steelers offered him more than Brown, which would put it (annualized) somewhere between $7.5 million and $10 million give or take.

Great move by the Steelers, but c'mon Wallace, figure out an extension, or report, play out your tender, and get out.