NFL Free Agent Rumors: Mike Wallace Not Getting Attention on Open Market

When the Pittsburgh Steelers placed a first-round tender on restricted free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace, the expectation was that some teams might try to lure him away in free agency. This would force the Steelers to match any offer to retain him. However, Pittsburgh may not have to worry about that.

The New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers were all expected to at least check in with Wallace and see what it would take to sign him. Instead, there has been no interest whatsoever, which means Pittsburgh's gamble of using a first-round tender instead of the franchise tag on the receiver could end up paying off.

While the Steelers have been going about clearing cap space with an eye towards giving Wallace a long-term extension, they may be able to simply sit back and avoid inking him to another deal just yet. That would force him to play on a salary of just $2.7 million next year before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. 

On NFL Live on Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter claimed that unless something changes, no teams are going to make a move on Wallace. First-round draft picks are simply too valuable to spend on a player that a team would also have to give a big contract to. 

Wallace is certainly a good receiver. At 25, he probably has his best football ahead of him. He reached his first Pro Bowl this season and is one of the best deep threats in the NFL. However, teams have decided that he wouldn't be worth a big contract and a first-round pick.

As of now, Pittsburgh's roll of the dice on Wallace appears to have been a genius move. They may be able to keep their top wideout without having to pay market value for him.