Mike Wallace is headed to the Vikings. (Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports)
The Miami Dolphins reportedly traded wide receiver Mike Wallace to the Minnesota Vikings on Friday — hours after acquiring receiver Kenny Stills in another trade.
The Dolphins also sent a seventh-round pick to the Vikings, who shipped a fifth-rounder to Miami in return, according to reports from NFL Media and ESPN.
Wallace had long been rumored as a short-timer in Miami this offseason, and the Dolphins’ deal to acquire Still from the New Orleans Saints earlier Friday gave them a ready replacement for Wallace.
The Vikings had pursued Wallace in 2013 and reportedly offered more money than the Dolphins, but he chose the warmer climate of South Florida over frigid Minnesota winters.
He lasted just two seasons of his five-year, $60 million contract with the Dolphins and will count $6.6 million against their salary cap in 2015.
Wallace had two 1,000-yard seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him in the first round in 2009. But, with Miami, he recorded 73 receptions for 930 yards and five touchdowns in 2013 and 67 catches for 862 yards and 10 scores in 2014.
Wallace allegedly was unhappy with his role in Miami and ended up on the bench in the 2014 season finale after arguing with coaches.
In Minnesota, Wallace will join veteran receiver Greg Jennings, Charles Johnson and tight end Kyle Rudolph as second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s weapons.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, have dumped three of their top five receivers from 2014: Wallace, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson.
The Dolphins are discussing a long-term contract with tight end Charles Clay, whom they tendered as a transition player for $7 million, and they have now added Stills and tight end Jordan Cameron to Jarvis Landry, their promising second-round pick from 2014.
