The Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday released wide receiver Mike Wallace, who would have carried an $11.5 million salary cap hit this season.
The Vikings had expressed an interest in retaining the seven-year veteran despite career lows in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Instead, the team will likely look for receiving help in free agency or the draft.
Wallace began his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, posting 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2010 and 2011 and making the 2011 Pro Bowl. The Vikings inherited his contract from Miami after acquiring him and a seventh-round draft pick in a trade that sent a fifth-round selection to the Dolphins.
Wallace caught 39 passes for 473 yards and two touchdowns this past season but was never the top option for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Coach Mike Zimmer has consistently praised his leadership in the locker room, however, and publicly said he would like Wallace to return.
The Vikings will move forward with Stefon Diggs as their top receiving target. Diggs caught 52 passes for 720 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season but wasn't as productive toward the end of the year.
Minnesota also has wide receivers Jarius Wright, Adam Thielen, Charles Johnson and Cordarrelle Patterson on the roster, though none caught a touchdown this past season.
