Not worried about money, Mike Wallace is here “to secure a ring”

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Mike Wallace claimed that he could play for another 10 to 15 years during his introductory press conference, but says he plans to hang it up in a few seasons. 

When Wallace was on the free agent market he had opportunities presented to him from other teams, but he found himself attracted to Philadelphia and what the Eagles can offer. 

Wallace praised Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and said that the young quarterback was "99%" of the reason that Wallace decided to come to Philadelphia. 

Wallace also revealed that he left money on the table to come to the Eagles. Wallace let fans into the mind of an NFL player and mentioned that when you are a young NFL player you have to be sure to "secure the bag" and not leave the game "empty-handed."

Wallace certainly earned his keep in his career, which included a five-year $60 million contract in 2012 with the Miami Dolphins in 2013. 

Now 32-years old, Wallace is not the same young player who is concerned with padding his bank account. He said that now his family is taken care of financially and that money is not the deciding factor. "I'm trying to secure a ring," said Wallace. 

Wallace is known for his speed that makes him a threat deep down the field. Wallace rejects that he is a one-trick pony, however. "That's a stereotype. I've had a lot of deep passes, but I've caught a lot of short passes, too," said Wallace. "I ran a lot of routes…I'm over 8,000 yards, 60 TDs, over 500 catches. You don't just do that running go routes." Wallace says he is prepared to fill whatever role the coaches envision for the 2011 Pro Bowler. 

If the Eagles need Wallace to run those go routes, he is still more than capable. Wallace claims he still possesses that 4.3 speed that wowed at the Combine in 2009. 

Wallace said that he will wear no. 14 this season for the Eagles.