Hines Ward holds every major franchise receiving record for the Steelers and for the first time in his career he is in danger of not returning to Pittsburgh. Ward has one year left on his contract and is due to make a little over $4 million dollars in 2012. The problem is that with the Steelers current salary cap issues and with Ward dropping to fourth at best on the depth chart there is no way the Steelers can afford to pay him $4 million dollars.
Hines Ward has stated that he is willing to take a pay cut in order to finish his career with the Steelers. The lowest amount Ward could take would be around $950 thousand dollars which is the veteran minimum for a player with his experience. This would save the Steelers around $2 million, after salary cap pro ration, on the cap for the season and put them at around $8 million over the cap currently. The other option would be for the Steelers to out-right cut Ward. His signing bonus pro ration would still count against the cap meaning the salary cap savings would sit at about $3.3 million dollars.
There are a few issues the Steelers have to look into when deciding to restructure with or release Ward. They must decide if they believe that Ward will be able to contribute on offense in 2012. If Mike Wallace and Jerrico Cothcery are resigned Ward could find himself at fifth on the depth chart. Is a fifth receiver worth $950 thousand dollars. This position could also be given to a young player that has the potential to grow and become a future starter as well as help on special teams, something that Ward likely won’t be doing if he returns.
Hines Ward could also provide a certain motivation for the Steelers if he returns in 2012. Most likely Ward will be retiring after next season, whether he plays for the Steelers or another team. Ward, like Jerome Bettis in the 2005-2006 season, could give the Steelers extra motivation to help another of their all-time greats to go out on top. Unlike Bettis, Ward has won a Super Bowl, he has two titles, a super bowl MVP trophy, and has been to a third, but there is just something about a player going out on top and riding off into the sunset.
Most Steelers fans would just like to see Ward retire as a Steeler. It would be tough for Steeler Nation to watch Ward playing in another jersey during the 2012 season. Things could get even worse though, if reports are accurate, the Baltimore Ravens would be interested in signing Ward if he hit the open market.
