Miami Dolphins Trade Away Mike Wallace to the Vikings

The Miami Dolphins have parted ways with their wide receiver Mike Wallace. Wallace, 28, will head to the Minnesota Vikings along with a 2015 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a 2015 fifth-round pick.

"We felt like there was a need that we had. [Offensive coordinator] Norv [Turner] really liked him, and I played against him when he was in Pittsburgh and now Miami. He's so fast, and he's a quick starter -- he can really get going fast," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said reported by ESPN. "We want to have a lot of speed offensively, and we feel like that will help a lot. With [wide receiver] Charles Johnson, it opens up more things for the runners, it opens up more things for the tight end. And with [quarterback] Teddy [Bridgewater], you know, he plays so damn accurate. It opens things up."

The trade saved the Dolphins $3 million, which they would have had to pay Wallace by this weekend.

"We thank Mike for his contributions to the team over the last two seasons," Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey said in a statement. "We wish him the best in the Minnesota."

Last season, Wallace led the Dolphins in receiving yards (862) and touchdowns (10). He was second in receptions with 67. Despite these numbers, Wallace and quarterback Ryan Tannehill did not connect well on some plays, especially on the deep throws. Wallace was also rumored to have clashed with the Dolphins' coaches. Wallace was benched in the second half of the final game of the 2014 season after he argued with the coaching staff.

Wallace signed a $60 million, five-year contract with the Dolphins in 2013. Before then, he spent four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he made 235 receptions for 4,042 and 32 touchdowns.

The Dolphins also cut Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson. Together, the duo totaled 135 receptions, 1,631 yards and 13 touchdowns this past season.