As a result, Pittsburgh, who offered the 25-year-old a one-year, $2.7 million tender, has suspended long-term contract negotiations with Wallace, the NFL’s only restricted free agent who has not signed a deal.

“Obviously, we have a desire for him to be here,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We want him to be part of this thing, both short term and long term. We’ve been in negotiations with him. He’s not here today. That’s unfortunate for him.”

General manager Kevin Colbert echoed Tomlin’s sentiment regarding Wallace.

“Our intention has always been to sign Mike to a long-term contract,” Colbert said.

The news of Wallace’s latest move should come as no surprise to those who have been following the athlete in the off-season. After skipping OTAs and minicamps, Wallace’s decision to bypass training camp further backs up claims that say he is holding out for a massive contract similar to Cardinal’s receiver Larry Fitzgerald (eight years, $120 million).

“I’m less concerned about negotiation from a coach’s standpoint; I want the player here,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’ve extended a tender to him, of course he hasn’t signed it, but I’m focused on the guys who are here and working, so I won’t focus on him until he gets here.”

A Pro Bowler last season, Wallace caught 72 passes for 1,193 yards and has 171 catches for 3,206 yards and 24 touchdowns in his three years in the NFL.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter talks more about the contract negotiations between Mike Wallace and the Steelers in the video below:

via ESPN

Mike Wallace, Steelers WR, Absent From Training Camp [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr