Mike Wallace will be back in Baltimore next season. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that the Ravens have picked up the veteran’s $8MM club option.
The 30-year-old’s first season in Baltimore was one of his most productive campaigns in years. Following a down season in Minnesota, Wallace finished 2016 with 72 receptions, 1,017 yards, and four touchdowns. The veteran proved to be one of Joe Flacco‘s preferred targets, as Wallace, Steve Smith, and Dennis Pitta were the lone offensive options to finish with more than 100 targets.
With Smith set to retire, the Ravens would have been lacking wide receiver depth had they declined Wallace’s option. The veteran sits atop the team’s depth chart, followed by Breshad Perriman, Chris Moore, and Vince Mayle. The team also has a trio of exclusive restricted free agent wideouts in Michael Campanaro, Chris Matthews, and Keenan Reynolds.