Mike Wallace Won't Struggle to Catch Up Once He Returns to the Steelers

Holdout Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace will report to the team before the start of the regular season, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, citing sources close to Wallace.

Though we've heard speculation and reports from sources on both sides of the situation repeatedly declaring Wallace "close" to showing up, as we inch closer to September and the Steelers' opener against the Denver Broncos, it seems more and more likely that he will rejoin his team sooner rather than later.

Once he does, he'll have some catching up to do, but it's nothing that Wallace can't handle.

Wallace has a copy of new offensive coordinator Todd Haley's playbook and has been working with conditioning coach Tom Shaw in Florida, who also believes that Wallace will be in Pittsburgh soon. Shaw reports that Wallace has been doing everything he'd be asked to in camp—albeit without contact—and looks physically ready to take the field in Week 1.

When Wallace reports, it will likely be an all-hands approach to getting him the rest of the way prepared. It won't be a cold-shoulder reception, considering that the Steelers are well aware that Wallace is their biggest offensive playmaker. He'll be given all the time and attention he needs to be back on the same page with his teammates.

Some, including head coach Mike Tomlin, have suggested that Wallace is a "one-trick pony," and that all he essentially does is beat defenders with his speed. While this is an incredibly simplistic distillation of Wallace's talents, the fact that he can do so will make it easier for him to be reintegrated into the offense.

Of course, Wallace has been working on his route running and mastering the new playbook with Shaw, which means he won't be heading back into practices completely unprepared. With Wallace knowing at least the bare bones of Haley's new system, it shouldn't take him very long to take the field and make an impact.

While the Steelers were more focused on smoothing the rough edges on their short, quick-passing game and their running attack in the first preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, you could also sense that the lack of deep passing was also partially in deference to Wallace. They didn't want to send any messages that Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders or any other receiver could be a replacement for Wallace. 

Regardless of his lengthy absence, Wallace is still a professional, and he is one of the better receivers in the league. He's not going to show up in Pittsburgh unprepared to contribute.

Once he's made his mind up to report, he'll be doing so with 100 percent commitment to his team. That commitment includes showing up in shape, knowledgeable of the new system and ready to put on pads and do the necessary work immediately.

The chemistry between Wallace and Roethlisberger is something that doesn't require a playbook, perfectly-timed drop-backs and routes. In that sense, Wallace can simply get open and make plays, which is what the Steelers ultimately desire.

The little things—the nuances of Haley's system, the terminology and so on—can be ironed out in time. But when Wallace shows up in Pittsburgh, he'll bring with him all the tools that made him ultimately hold out for more money this year. He's talented, and he's not stupid.

Wallace will be ready when he shows up in Pittsburgh or Latrobe, and he's probably ready right now.

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