The NFL Network is reporting that the Steelers plan to cut longtime WR Hines Ward. It is definitely not unexpected news, but considering he is the greatest wide receiver in franchise history it is still strange and sad.
Ward’s release doesn’t mean he won’t be back with the Steelers in 2012. It is more to get the Steelers off the hook for the $4 million he was owed in 2012. The Steelers currently sit around $10 million over the cap and cutting Ward is a no-brainer. No NFL team would pay him $4 million next year and his only chance of returning to Pittsburgh is on a restructured deal.
Personally, I don’t see any reason for Ward to come back to Pittsburgh. He knows he is the 4th wide receiver here at best and the Steelers don’t really benefit from having a slow, possibly unhappy 36 year old coming onto the field in 4-WR sets.
My guess is Ward will land somewhere as a 3rd receiver and probably catch a couple touchdowns in 2012, but his era his over in Pittsburgh. As I wrote during the season, the youth movement has arrived and this team should be defined by the Young Money Family.
The long, frustrating end to Ward’s time in Pittsburgh shouldn’t take away from his career at all though. He is hands down the greatest receiver in Steelers history and few athletes have ever carried the attitude and persona of a city like Hines Ward has for Pittsburgh. I wish him the best and while I knew this day was coming, it is still a little bit sad knowing that Hines Ward (reportedly) is no longer a Pittsburgh Steeler.
Here’s one of my favorite clips of Ward. This is from the 2008 AFC Championship Game and shows the grit, leadership and skill that 86 brought to Pittsburgh:
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Update:
Ward posted this to his Facebook page:
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. And as I’ve already told the organization, I am willing to work with them to restructure my contract to make sure this happens.
