Signing coach Mike Tomlin to a contract extension with little fanfare and less pre-contract chatter was the most Pittsburgh Steelers move possible. The same is true for the team’s reported decision to cut off negotiations with wide receiver Mike Wallace now that training camp has started. Despite reports that a deal was close, Wallace didn’t show up to camp on time. He’s not officially a “holdout” because he’s an unsigned restricted free agent. But Tomlin and the Steelers will subsequently treat Wallace as a Steeler.
“One thing that experience has taught me is that this is bigger than all of us,” Tomlin said. “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.” Translation: We’ve made our move. Now it’s your turn. Wallace still might get his contract over the next month, but he’s going to have to show up to camp as a sign of good faith to make it happen. We’ll find out over the next week if Wallace has the stomach to stay away from work.
