GM Colbert: Steelers last offer to Mike Wallace now off the table

Pittsburgh and Wallace cut off negotiations. (US Presswire)

The Steelers recently decided to shut down contract negotiations with wide receiver Mike Wallace, a restricted free agent who's currently holding out of camp. The two sides were continuing to make progress toward a new deal, but couldn't figure out how to bridge their differences apparently.

And Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said on Thursday that the team has now pulled all their offers off the table. Asked if Wallace could simply say he'd take Pittsburgh's last offer, Colbert told Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider that the team is "in a different mode."

"I think once we made that decision [to cut off negotiations] we're in a different mode and we would have to address any new negotiation if we get to that point," Colbert said.

The GM also confirmed that the team had "chosen not to progress with negotiations at this point," and when asked if he was optimistic about a new deal, said the team is "in just-move-forward mode" at this point.

"I think it is what it is right now with him not being here," Colbert said. "Really, we've got to focus on what we can control, and we can't control that because again every negotiation's unique. You put your best foot forward. If it's not suitable for both parties then you have to adjust. We're really in a just-move-forward mode right now."

Wallace's tender will pay him less than $3 million this season, but with a big 2012, he'd stand a shot at cashing in pretty big on the free-agent market (depending on whether or not the Steelers wanted to use the franchise tag on him) or perhaps even during an in-season negotiation.

At this point, it's questionable whether or not Pittsburgh will get Wallace in for training camp. Which means it's also questionable whether or not he's willing to show up for the regular season -- like Vincent Jackson in 2010 before him, Wallace would only need to play six games in order to accrue a season.

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