Steelers reportedly plan to cut Hines Ward

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It appears Hines Ward and the Pittsburgh Steelers may be parting ways in the near future.

The Steelers plan to cut the 35-year-old wide receiver and not bring him back for the 2012 season, according to the NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, who cites unnamed sources familiar with the situation.

Ward’s declining play coupled with the Steelers’ need to stay below the salary cap were listed as the primary reasons for the team’s decision not to bring him back. Pittsburgh is roughly $10 million over the salary cap and Ward is owed $4 million next season.

Ward finished the past season fourth in team receiving behind Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. He averaged 8.3 yards per catch and scored two touchdowns on 46 receptions.

Ward, who has played his entire NFL career with the Steelers since joining the team in 1998, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He’s won two Super Bowls with the team (2006, 2009) and was named MVP of Super Bowl XL.

So will Ward look to continue his career somewhere else or will he hang up the helmet and retire as a Steeler?

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