Mike Wallace is a restricted free agent but the Steelers likely won’t be able to match an offer he receives. If the play-making wide receiver leaves Pittsburgh, it won’t be because the team didn’t show him love. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he’s been begging Wallace daily to stay with the team.
“Nervous is not the word,” Big Ben replied when asked about the thought of Wallace leaving during an interview on WDVE Wednesday. “[I’m] scared to death. I communicate with Mike, I wake up every day and I’m like, ‘Mike, please don’t go anywhere. I’m begging you.’ I’m going to say right now over the radio ‘Don’t go anywhere Mike.’
“Mike is too good of a player, but Mike’s an even better person. He’s a great teammate, he’s a great guy, and he’s someone that we need to have here. I’ll be disappointed if he goes somewhere. I’ve got a good feeling that he’s not. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve just got a feeling he’s not going to go anywhere, but I’m still begging every day and praying that he doesn’t go anywhere.”
Unfortunately for Ben, it’s expected that Wallace will leave the Steelers. Pittsburgh has even less of a chance to retain him if the report that he’s looking for a contract greater than Larry Fitzgerald’s is true.
Below is audio from Roethlisberger’s interview on WDVE. He spends most of it talking about Hines Ward.
Thanks to Steelers Depot for the story and transcription.
