Photo: Gene J. Puskar, AP
- Adam ParkerThe Pittsburgh Steelers are planning to cut ties with longtime wide receiver Hines Ward, sources told the NFL Network. If the report is correct -- and unless you've been living under a rock during the past NFL season, you've seen the signs that these reports are likely true -- it will be a decision based as much on production as money.
Ward, who turns 36 next month, lost his starting gig for next season and would likely be the fourth or fifth wide receiver on the depth chart if he suits up for the Black and Gold for the 2012 season.
"I plan on playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers and going from there," Ward said Thursday during Super Bowl week.
The only question is, do the Steelers feel the same way?
Ward, who is scheduled to make $4 million over the final two years of his current contract, has said he is willing to restructure his contract and take a pay cut so that he can remain with the team that drafted him in the 3rd round out of the University of Georgia back in 1998.
"I don't normally like to respond to rumors, but as I've said all along, I want to finish my career with the Pittsburgh Steelers," Ward posted Saturday on his Facebook page.
It's probably the right decision going forward for both sides. After all, it simply doesn't make sense for either the Steelers or Ward to keep him under contract as a reserve wideout behind young stallions Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and Emmanuel Sanders.
Reserve wideouts for the Steelers are expected to contribute on special teams, something that simply is not in Ward's wheelhouse - meaning Ward would be inactive for a majority of the games next season if Pittsburgh kept him.
Though I'm sure Ward could bring the thunder down on an opposing player on special teams -- just ask Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers how his jaw is doing -- I really believe special teams duty is beneath Ward at this point in his surefire Hall of Fame career.
"Psycho" Ward became only the eighth player in league history to reach 1,000 career receptions in the regular season finale against the Browns. He and Jerry Rice are the only players in league history to reach 1,000 receptions and win multiple Super Bowls.
Regardless of what the Steelers ultimately decide, a clause in Ward's contract makes March 1 the deadline for Pittsburgh to resolve the issue.
The Steelers, who are about $10 million over the cap, also would get to trim Ward's $4 million salary for the 2012 season if they parted ways.
What does the future hold for Ward and the Steelers? The only chance Ward has to continue playing at all for any NFL squad is if a team values his leadership and wants a veteran to be its No. 3 receiver. And if Ward is no longer in their plans, the Steelers toward re-signing unrestricted free agent Jerricho Cotchery or another free-agent wide receiver.
The Steelers don't really have any use for Ward in their vertical passing game, and Ward deserves to see quality playing time despite his advanced age. They'd probably be better off apart if they both want to get what they want.
As a lifelong Steelers fan, there's no doubt that I'm upset to hear about this potential divorce, but it's probably the best option for both parties involved moving forward.
It's been fun, Hines. Good luck to you next season and beyond - we here at Beard and Stache can't wait to see you catching touchdowns and throwing jaw-breaking blocks for whoever you end up playing for.
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