Hines Ward, Steelers Parting Ways? Pittsburgh Might Not Bring Back Veteran Receiver

By Terry McCormick, National Football Post

Hines Ward might not be back in Pittsburgh after 14 seasons with the team, says Jason LaCanfora of NFL Network, citing two sources.

The Steelers have been shuffling money around with restructures and releases in recent days to try and get under the salary cap, and Ward's $4 million cap number in 2012 might be a place Pittsburgh will look to save some cash.

Ward's playing time dwindled in 2011, as he mostly watched while young receivers like Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown excelled in the Steelers offense.

Ward may still want to play football next season. But after so many years and so many moments in a career worthy of serious Hall of Fame consideration, it would seem odd to see him wearing some uniform other than the Steelers. But then again, he wouldn't be the first player bound for Canton to finish his career in a lesser role and in a different uniform.

Follow me on Twitter @TitanInsider247 and @terrymc13.

Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com.

Comments

[brianmouland]

11:55 PM on 02/14/2012

Release Hines,Seriously! You lying fool!

[WindySailor]

04:01 PM on 02/14/2012

If Hines Ward can skate, he can always go play hockey and deliver cheap shots there.

[callbern]

02:16 PM on 02/14/2012

Why not just allow him to retire, give him a severance package, and maintain the status of the Steelers as a class act? He has two Suiper Bowl rings, a record for catches made, and a 14 year history. Let's hope that both parties maintain their dignity.

[Matt Kamp]

09:13 PM on 02/13/2012

Hines Ward represents the tail-end of a generation of big WRs....but a new era of football is upon us: http://yayaconnection.com/2012/getting-offensive/

Matt Kamp
Multimedia Marketing
YAYAconnection

[valeskas]

11:23 AM on 02/13/2012

Hines Ward needs to stay in Pittsburgh with the Steelers, I am a fan from Cleveland.

[butchcliff]

07:14 AM on 02/13/2012

Steelers letting a big part of their legacy fade away. Didn't use/need him this past year. Sad

[golfvue3]

10:24 PM on 02/13/2012

he's over the hill. Other receivers out-performed him.

Steelers did him a favor by force feeding him enough catches to reach 1,000 in the last couple games.

[butchcliff]

05:54 AM on 02/14/2012

True. Sad. Big part of Steelers history.

[SvrWx]

05:19 AM on 02/13/2012

Send him to the Browns.

[Kid Notorious]

02:46 AM on 02/13/2012

Dirty player

[Badger33]

02:22 AM on 02/13/2012

It would be a crying shame.

[moon341]

10:39 PM on 02/12/2012

Pittsburgher here.....an my heart is breaking.....

[chemistrydoc]

09:48 PM on 02/12/2012

It would be a real shame for Pittsburgh to deal Hines Ward - in his prime, the toughest player lb for lb in the NFL.

[golfvue3]

10:25 PM on 02/13/2012

they won't deal him. he'll be cut.

[Hank Spears]

09:09 PM on 02/12/2012

Hines has always epitomized what a real Steeler is. Let him finish what he started on his own terms.

[golfvue3]

10:26 PM on 02/13/2012

he had his chance last year - and now this year. Two significant down years - he's done.

[SaddleBum]

08:10 PM on 02/12/2012

the steelers have got to make some changes. their offense stunk this year

[jerryhattrick]

04:54 PM on 02/12/2012

Its over Hines - hang up cleats

[stjoshy]

04:04 PM on 02/12/2012

HOF. if they release him he should be allowed to step down as a steeler.