Mike Wallace was one of the best offensive players the Miami Dolphins had this season, but you would never have known it if you watched the team’s final game of the year on Sunday.
Wallace, who had a team-high 10 touchdown receptions in 2014, was benched for the entire second half against the New York Jets. According to Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel, head coach Joe Philbin decided to pull Wallace from the game following a heated exchange that took place during the first half.
Wallace may have been angry over his lack of usage. He entered the game with three touchdown receptions in his previous two games and had his first 100-yard receiving effort of the season in a tough matchup against the New England Patriots two weeks ago. Despite that, he drew just one target in the first half against a horrendous Jets secondary.
After the game, Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Gibson acted as Wallace’s spokesman while Wallace sat behind him nodding his head.
“Differences of opinions led us to Mike not playing in the second half. That’s kind of all we have to say about the coaches,” Gibson said. “That’s how it went.”
When asked if Wallace had a problem with being targeted just once in the first half, Gibson indicated that he did.
“It’s obviously frustrating for any player [who is use] to being a player who can make plays down the field, middle of the field, short,” he said for Wallace. “Sometimes that’s how it rolls. Obviously this is due to frustrations.”
Wallace is set to count roughly $12 million against the salary cap next season, and some have speculated that the Dolphins will look to trade or release him. Gibson — on behalf of Wallace — said “that remains to be seen.”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss anything right now,” Gibson said. “Moving forward I plan to be a Dolphin as long as my contract allows me to be.”
When reporters were done with their questions, Wallace was asked if everything Gibson said represented the former Ole Miss star’s feelings.
“Definitely!” Wallace said.
The Dolphins were better than some expected this season, and Ryan Tannehill proved he is a viable NFL starting quarterback. Wallace had one of his better seasons as a pro by making incredible catches like this, but he is obviously unhappy. Wallace and Tannehill struggled to develop consistent chemistry and Tannehill missed the speedster on countless deep balls. Don’t be surprised if Wallace is wearing a different uniform in 2015.
