The Pittsburgh Steelers need to sign wide receiver Mike Wallace to a contract extension before training camp starts because the team would be best suited by having all of its stars in camp on time.
Wallace is willing to hold out if he doesn't get the contract he wants, ESPN reports.
Wallace told some within the Steelers organization that he does not plan to sign his first-round tender "until he has to," according to a source. This means that Wallace could wind up holding out for some or all of training camp.
As the team's most explosive offensive weapon and best young player, the Steelers need to get Wallace signed so he doesn't fall behind the other offensive guys in training camp.
Wallace is the league's best deep threat and a very reliable player. He caught 72 passes for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns last season, all of which led the Steelers.
It wouldn't be smart to make Wallace angry, especially since he's so important to the success of the team.
The Steelers should make him one of the franchise's highest-paid players because he's only 25 years old, has proven that he can be an All-Pro player and still has room for improvement in his game.
Without Wallace, the Pittsburgh offense would be severely weakened. Sure, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders are good young receivers, but they don't scare defenses like Wallace does.
Wallace is a legitimate No. 1 receiver and should be paid like one. Signing him to a long term contract would be a smart investment for the Steelers.
Wallace is a game-changer and a player that all the other 31 NFL teams would love to have on their team. The Steelers must re-sign him before training camp.
