It certainly wasn’t the year that Mike Wallace hoped it would be when he was traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Vikings during the offseason.
Initially, the Vikings and Wallace had hoped that he could become the type of downfield threat Minnesota needed to help clear some space in the box for Adrian Peterson.
But with Teddy Bridgewater playing it safe in just his second season and a lack of big plays in the Vikings passing game all season, Wallace’s biggest play from scrimmage this year was 34 yards.
Additionally, the 29-year-old receiver posted career lows in receiving yards and touchdowns and equaled his career low with 39 catches while averaging a career low 12.2 yards per catch.
Even with all of that, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told reporters Tuesday he’d like to have Wallace back next season.
Mike Zimmer on Mike Wallace: "I was disappointed… It wasn't the season he wanted or we wanted.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) January 12, 2016
“I say this from my heart, I love this kid, I love the way he works, I love the way he competes,” Zimmer said Tuesday. “I texted him last night basically and told him the same thing.”
But it might be hard to bring Wallace back in 2016. He’s due to make $11.45 million in 2016, but the Vikings can cut him without a cap hit.
According to Pro Football Talk, Minnesota doesn’t appear to be the right place for Wallace, but Zimmer’s words about the wideout should help him when he looks for his next stop if the Vikings do release him.
