The Miami Dolphins reached an agreement with former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace on a five-year deal worth $60 million, with $30 million guaranteed, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told USA instantly Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because Wallace was undergoing a physical and had yet to sign the deal Tuesday night.
The Dolphins later sustain the Wallace signing in a tweet Tuesday night.
Even before the three-day negotiating period, it was put across Wallace was on the Dolphins' radar. Then, as USA TODAY Sports reported on Sunday, the Dolphins spent the weekend talking to Wallace's agent.
Wallace had 1,193 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2011 and was selected to his archetypical Pro Bowl, but his numbers fell last season, when he caught 64 passes for 836 yards and was plagued by discharges. Still, Wallace led the Steelers in receiving touchdowns the past deuce seasons -- with eight each year -- after tying for the police squad lead with 10 in his rookie season.
Factors in Wallace's drop in production could have been a change in offensive coordinators after the 2011 season. The Steelers got rid of Bruce Arians -- who became the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts and therefore the head teach of the Arizona Cardinals -- and hired former Chiefs coach Todd Haley. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger seemed uncomfortable in Haley's offense.
Wallace also suffered because of a preseason holdout.
The Steelers drafted Wallace in the third round (84th overall) in 2009 out of Mississippi.
Along with Wallace, the Dolphins landed other big-name free agent on the first day, agreeing to a five-year, $35 million deal with linebacker Dannell Ellerbe. To make room, the Dolphins released linebacker Karlos Dansby.
Materials taken from USA Today
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