Hines Ward Not Ready To Retire; Would Take Pay Cut To Stay in Pittsburgh

The feeling around the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room following Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos was that wide receiver Hines Ward would call it a career and retire from the NFL. As it turns out, the feeling around the locker room was inaccurate.

Ward announced that he is not ready for life after football. In fact, he announced that he would love to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers if possible. However, if the Steelers don’t want him, he will find a job elsewhere.

“It would be weird, not how I want it to happen,” Ward told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “But I do want to play. I still think I can play. I’m not even thinking like that — what if. If that scenario happens, I’ll be devastated, but I do want to play football.”

Would Ward take a pay cut? He seems willing to do so.

“I want to be here, I’m telling you I’m willing to do that,” Ward said. “And I understand the ramifications — we have the cap number and stuff, but I want to be here.”

It is likely that Ward would have to take a pay cut if he wants to return to the Steelers. Pittsburgh has three young and impressive wideouts in Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders. Ward is slower than he’s ever been in his career and has clearly lost a step.

If Ward does not return to Pittsburgh, the Arizona Cardinals would be a fitting landing spot.

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