As quarterback Cam Newton continues to progress for the Carolina Panthers, the team must continue to progress around him. The coaches cannot expect Newton to run with the ball on every play, they must add some big offensive weapons around him. Free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace could be that next big weapon for the Panthers. When addressing media at the NFL Combine, Carolina head coach Ron Rivera hinted at the team's interest when asked about Wallace.
"You're warm, but you know what's going to be interesting is how things unfold once we get to March 12. There's a lot of things that are out there that we have to really take into consideration. You know, we'll see how things are going to affect us when we get to the 12th," Rivera said.
Currently, the Panthers have receiver Steve Smith, but he will be 34 in May. The team needs to get younger in order to have long-term success. At 26, Wallace would give Newton one of the best deep threat receivers in the league. Considered to be one of the top free agents to hit the market on March 12, the Panthers will have to offer him big money to come to Carolina.
Wallace played 15 games in 2012 for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had their worst season since 2006. Wallace caught 64 passes for 836 yards and eight touchdowns. Wallace was forced to catch passes from backup quarterbacks as starter Ben Roethlisberger missed time with injury. In the previous two seasons, Wallace averaged 66 catches for 1225 yards and nine touchdowns.
Wallace has expressed interested in remaining in Pittsburgh. However, the Steelers' current salary cap frustrations might prevent that from happening. The team currently has no money to make any roster adjustments. The NFL salary cap is $121.1 million. The Steelers currently have one player signed to $102 million deal and three others with $163.25 devoted to them in total. The team will either have to cut players with free agency or adjust contracts.
Wallace could be the perfect fit in Carolina. Newton continues to get better as a throwing quarterback and two could make some big plays happen. He gives them youth that could set the team up for a future run at the Super Bowl.
