Miami Dolphins Must Address Mike Wallace Issue Prior to Start of Offseason

There's a lot of work for the Miami Dolphins to do this offseason, but before that work can start, the Dolphins have to figure out what to do about a certain situation. 

That situation's name is Mike Wallace, who's due $12.1 million if he's on the roster in 2015. 

The reason such a situation must be addressed is not just the cost, but also because Wallace has been the center of controversy since the end of the 2014 season. 

There are conflicting reports as to what happened in that final game against the New York Jetsm which began this controversy. According to ESPN, Wallace claimed he was benched, but other reports tell a different story. 

Which side am I on? I didn't take a side, too much he-said, he-said going on. The only side you could say I am on is the side of keeping Mike Wallace a Miami Dolphin. 

That's one option, and the best one, but not the only one. 

The Dolphins could choose to release Wallace, which, if done as a pre-June 1 cut, would save Miami $2.5 million, whereas a post-June 1 cut would save them $6.9 million. 

The Dolphins could also trade Wallace, but that seems like the least probable option. 

There's not a single question that Wallace is a weapon for the Dolphins, and it's not just because of his 67 catches for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Just his presence on the field makes the jobs of Ryan Tannehill, Jarvis Landry and Miami's other receivers that much easier, despite the "deep-ball issues" that Tannehill and Wallace might have. 

By the way, those deep-ball issues aren't due to Tannehill or Wallace; blame the offensive line for not giving Tannehill the time. 

Wallace opens up the field for underneath receivers and keeps safeties honest, thus preventing teams from stacking up the box to stop the run. 

Lamar Miller surely appreciates that, as would any running back Miami signs or drafts this offseason. 

One might think based off of a slight in a stadium promotion video that Wallace is gone, but that's not the vibe due based on a recent event. 

Dennis Hickey announced that he met with Mike Wallace during a press conference held at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, per Conor Orr of NFL.com. 

When asked about his meeting with Wallace, Hickey had this to say: 

"

[Hickey and Wallace] Had a good conversation. We have an open line of communication. We always feel like we have an open door for all of our players, whether it be the coaching staff, myself, always keeping that open line of communication.

For all of us, as the season unfolded, late in the year, we were all frustrated about how the season ended. That's what we're focused on now, addressing, confronting the reality of where we're at, and how do we get to where we want to be? That's what we spent the last five or six weeks looking at hard, and talking through and working together in a collaborative fashion, to work through that. The goal is to be better.

"

This is the right approach, and not an approach you take when you are planning to release a player. 

Releasing Wallace creates a bigger hole at wide receiver than the Dolphins already have. Outside of Wallace, the Dolphins have possession receivers, and it's feasible that two of them (Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson) will be released. 

The Dolphins will also be looking at a wide receiver in Round 1 of the draft. It would be better for the Dolphins to draft a receiver to pair with Wallace rather than replace him.  

If it doesn't work out in 2015, they could then release him in 2016, which would save them even more money ($11.5 million post-June 1, $9.3 million pre-June 1).

By then, their 2015 rookie receiver (if they do what they should and draft a receiver in 2015) should develop, making letting go of Wallace to be a bit easier. 

Miami has to make a decision on Wallace, and the right one is to keep him and work things out.

Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com. Salary Cap information provided by Spotrac and OverTheCap.com.