We have more Pittsburgh Steelers free agent buzz to pass along on Saturday with just a few more days to go until the start of the new league year on Tuesday.
Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network reports on Twitter that he is hearing the Miami Dolphins might be interested in unrestricted free agent running back Rashard Mendenhall should they decide to part ways with running back Reggie Bush.
According to the Miami Herald, Bush has already been contacted by three teams since the legal tampering period started at midnight last night, and sources tell the paper that he will not be returning to Miami.
Not only do the Dolphins appear to be interested in Mendenhall, but FoxSports.com reported Saturday that they also have the early lead in the race to land Steelers unrestricted free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace as well. Wallace is reportedly looking to land a five-year contract worth $60 million.
Mendenhall had a rough 2012 season in Pittsburgh that included him missing the first three games while rehabbing his knee that he tore up in the 2011 regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns. Once he returned to the field Mendenhall only made it through one full game before straining his Achilles\’, which ended up sidelining him the next four weeks.
Once deemed ready to return he played in the next two games but was benched after he fumbled twice in the Week 12 game against the Browns. He was suspended without pay for conduct detrimental to the team after failing to show up at Heinz Field for the Week 14 game against the San Diego Chargers, after being told he would not dress for the game.
Mendenhall finished the season with 51 carries for 182 yards and no rushing touchdowns.
The last few off-seasons haven\’t been banner ones for free agent running backs, but the low mileage on Mendenhall, combined with the fact that he is a former first round draft pick, might just make him the hottest free agent at the position.
