Originally appeared at Steelers Now: NFL Insider: Steelers Could Re-Sign CB Levi Wallace
The Pittsburgh Steelers could re-sign cornerback Levi Wallace, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN said. In an article on Monday, Fowler said that as it stands right now, it would not surprise him if Wallace would return to the team.
“The Steelers’ free agency class is not star-studded, but Wallace has been a solid starter over two years in Pittsburgh, producing six interceptions and 12 pass breakups since 2022. I could see him staying there on another two-year deal closer to free agency,” Fowler wrote.
Wallace was benched midseason for Joey Porter Jr. While he has nabbed six interceptions, his consistent up-and-down play as the team’s second cornerback often left the secondary out to dry. If he does return on a two-year deal, as Fowler postulates, Wallace will play in Pittsburgh for his 29- and 30-year seasons.
Wallace allowed a 100.5 passer rating this season when targeted while allowing 539 yards and seven touchdowns. With how the season played out with Wallace losing his job to Porter, it does seem unlikely that he would return to the team, but anything is possible. One of the team’s biggest tasks this season will be rebuilding the secondary after it struggled. Minkah Fitzpatrick’s injury only worsened matters on the back end for the Steelers.
Wallace’s previous deal was for two years, $8 million. There was a $2.965 million signing bonus and $1.035 million in salary in 2022, with a $4 million salary in 2023, balancing the cash equally between the two seasons. He is unlikely to see that type of deal in 2024 on the free agency market. It would be little surprise to see the Steelers look to get younger at that spot and let Wallace walk.
So, this seems unlikely, but given the section of Fowler’s, except it was the ‘latest’ on if they would land Wallace, he may hear some rumblings. Over the last course of the season, Wallace came in only in sub-packages for the team, though he had to play more on the outside when Patrick Peterson moved to safety. But moving forward, ti seems unlikely that Wallace is in the team’s plans.
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