NFL Rumors: Mike Wallace Signs With Baltimore Ravens, His Least Favorite Team

NFL rumors have been swirling around Mike Wallace this week. After being released by the Minnesota Vikings, the speedy wide receiver was in negotiations on a reduced contract so he could return to the team. The two sides were said to be rather close to a new deal. However, it looks like Wallace had a change of heart. According to NFL.com, he is set to sign with the Baltimore Ravens to play with Joe Flacco, one of the better quarterbacks in the National Football League.

The deal between Mike Wallace and the Baltimore Ravens is said to be a two-year contract. It is reportedly worth $11.5 million, which shows how much the Ravens valued Wallace. Some felt the former Ole Miss Rebels star had regressed a bit because his last season was sub par. Mike Wallace only caught 39 passes for 473 yards, and he only reached the end zone twice. Very few in the NFL were critical of the Minnesota Vikings for asking Wallace to take a pay cut.

A couple of years ago, the signing of Mike Wallace by the Baltimore Ravens would be hard to imagine. The 6’0″, 205 pound wide receiver flat-out stated that the Ravens were his least favorite team in the NFL. That was when Wallace signed a massive deal to join the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins and Ravens don’t exactly have a heated rivalry, so the comments made it apparent to everyone how Mike feels about the Ravens as an organization.

In order for the Baltimore Ravens offense to function at its best, the team needs a speedy wide receiver that can stretch the field. They had that with Torrey Smith, one of the speediest wide receivers in the NFL. He’s now with the San Francisco 49ers after signing a massive contract. The Ravens tried to resolve the situation last season by drafting Breshad Perriman, but he suffered a serious knee injury, so Baltimore needed Wallace as an insurance policy.

Mike Wallace enjoyed playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Otherwise, he would not have gone into negotiations with the team after being released. Usually, NFL players try to move on as quickly as possible when that happens to them. However, when the Baltimore Ravens came calling, Wallace found it hard to resist. Aside from the Ravens being willing to pay him a lot of money, there was also the opportunity to play with Joe Flacco, a quarterback with a strong arm who loves to throw it deep.

Another thing that was appealing to Mike Wallace was the fact that the Baltimore Ravens front office is not afraid to spend money to improve their roster. This is a team that wants to be in the NFL Playoffs every year. Ozzie Newsome is one of the best general managers in the NFL. He was able to convince former San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle to sign with the Ravens, despite heavy interest from several teams in the National Football League.

With the addition of Mike Wallace and the return to health of Breshad Perriman, who has yet to play a minute in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens should have a very good offense. Their only big need on that side of the ball is at tackle, a need they will more than likely address in the upcoming NFL Draft. If Ozzie Newsome can snag some quality linebackers and corner backs from the college ranks, then the Ravens should be able to compete with just about anyone in the National Football League.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure when it comes to free agency in the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings didn’t need Mike Wallace any more, so the Baltimore Ravens were able to improve their passing game.

[Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images]