The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't messing around with wide receiver Mike Wallace. General manager Kevin Colbert confirmed Thursday the Steelers will not progress with contract negotiations until Wallace signs his $2.7 million first-round tender and reports to training camp, additionally, the team has pulled any prior offers its made to Wallace. "I think once we made that decision we're in a different mode and we would have to address any new negotiation if we get to that point," Colbert said, via Scout.com. The message is clear: You want a new deal, get in the building, only then does the conversation continue. Since Wallace isn't under contract, he can't be fined for missing time, and, unlike the case with players under the franchise tag, there's no deadline to negotiate a long-term pact. The Steelers still have the right to slash Wallace's tender at this point, but it appears they've drawn the line there. "We never planned on using the tender or reducing the tender as leverage," Colbert said. "I think that just shows what you think about the player, and it gives you a launching point for a long-term deal. But again we weren't able to conclude that, so we move on." Source: NFL.com
If I was a potential player for the Steelers and saw this I would head the other way. This is just unreasonable. Its a negotiation not a dictatorship.
They won't negotiate in public and that's exactly what it becomes once you get into camp. Smart move here.
