Mike Wallace signed a five-year, $60 million deal with the Miami Dolphins the first day free agency began in the NFL this year. Wallace had long been linked with the Dolphins, so it was no surprise to see him sign with the team. What is somewhat surprising is hearing that he wanted to go to Miami so badly he actually turned down more money from the Vikings.
Wallace’s father spoke with The Miami Herald’s Adam H. Beasley and said Minnesota offered more money to get him.
“The [Vikings] had come to the point where they were telling him, ‘You don’t have to live here, just be here during the season,’ ” Wallace’s father, Mike Jr., told the Herald. “He wanted to get out of that snow and cold weather.”
Wallace’s father also said the Rams and Seahawks were interested. Seattle acquired Percy Harvin in a trade a day before Wallace signed.
For what it’s worth, ESPN 1500’s Tom Pelissero says the Vikings never made a firm offer to Wallace because Miami wrapped him up so quickly. We had heard the Vikings had interest in Wallace, and we know they tried trading for Anquan Boldin and made offers to Greg Jennings, so this report is not too surprising. But this does show us how badly Wallace wanted to be in Miami. The Herald’s article says one of Wallace’s big motivating factors was the weather; he didn’t want to be in the cold. We’ll see if his desire to be in Miami pays off with wins.
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