Two years ago, Mike Wallace the big free agent signing of the NFL offseason. The wide receiver signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Miami Dolphins to be the down-field threat for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. However, that has yet to come to fruition as the deal is starting to backfire with salary cap space getting tight. The Dolphins have a lot of decisions to make regarding the future of their franchise and no one can give a definitive answer as to whether or not Wallace will be a part of it.
Wallace's time with the Dolphins has had some highs and a lot of lows. Yes, the wide receiver has gotten his touchdowns, but he has failed to develop deep threat chemistry with Tannehill. He has complained about his lack of playing time. Most recently, he was benched in the season finale after he pulled himself out of the Week 15 loss to the New England Patriots. Owner Stephen Ross is not committing to the wide receiver's future with Miami.
"I don't think anyone really knows," Ross said, via the Miami Herald.
Wallace is a $12.1 million hit to the salary cap. That makes the wide receiver untradable since no other team wants that type of contract on their pay roll. According to the Miami Herald, Wallace has no interest in taking a pay cut. That makes a release the only option. If cut after June 1, the Dolphins will save $6.9 million in cap space while carrying $5.2 million in dead money.
The Dolphins do not necessarily need Wallace. In 2014, rookie Jarvis Landry showed true signs of developing into a top wide receiver in the league. Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson still have years on their contracts. While they are both heavy cap hits as well, if the Dolphins have to get rid of someone it will likely be Wallace. Harline told the Miami Herald that he understands at least one member of the receiving corps will be cut in the offseason, but he is hopeful it will not be him.
There is a brief idea that someone could jump at a trade. The Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals all need receiving help, but if most teams feel Wallace is getting ready to be released, no one will strike a deal.