Adrian Fedkiw
The Philadelphia Eagles have found their replacement for Torrey Smith, but for half the price.
The Eagles signed wide receiver Mike Wallace to a one-year, $2.5 million contract on Thursday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager was the first to report the move for the Super Bowl champs.
For the #Eagles and FA WR Mike Wallace, it’s a 1-year deal worth $2.5M with incentives, source said. Slides neatly under the salary cap.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 22, 2018
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Wallace can make up to $4 million.
Eagles are giving former Ravens’ WR Mike Wallace a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 22, 2018
Like Smith, the 31-year-old Wallace is a deep threat, using his athleticism and straight line speed to get open. With a big-armed quarterback in Joe Flacco that was able to get the ball out to him, Wallace saw a career resurgence the last two years with the Baltimore Ravens, tallying 748 yards and four touchdowns last year and 1,017 yards and four scores the year prior. Wallace has a career yards per reception average of 15.0.
Imagine Carson Wentz throwing downfield to Mike Wallace. pic.twitter.com/mCqQsbfM1M
— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) March 22, 2018
Wallace broke into the league with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009 as a third-round pick and flourished his first four years with Ben Roethlisberger, putting up 1,257 yards and 10 scores in his second season in the Steel City. He struggled the next four seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings as he played with young signal callers in Ryan Tannehill and Teddy Bridgewater.
Following Smith’s trade to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Daryl Worley earlier this month, the Eagles needed a cheap veteran receiving target and Wallace fits that void beautifully. Smith would’ve cost twice as much as he was set to make $5 million in 2018. Wallace also has 68 more receptions and 1,068 more yards than Smith has totaled the past two seasons.
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