AP

Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace’s production has dropped off sharply this season, something that has only gotten worse with Ben Roethlisberger on the shelf for the last four games.

Wallace has 10 catches for 77 yards in those games and drops have been a problem all season for the previously surer-handed Wallace. Some might point to his long absence from the team while trying to get a long-term deal this offseason, but Wallace doesn’t think that’s the case. He’s chalking it up to a loss of focus caused by the offense looking in other directions for long stretches, saying that he sometimes he has to “remind them not to forget about me.”

“When I don’t get the ball for a certain amount of time, I lose focus sometimes. It hurts me when it’s time for me to make a play,” Wallace said, via Ralph N. Paulk of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “The toughest thing is staying positive through three quarters because you’re not going to get the ball every time. You have to be ready to deliver when it comes your way. That’s been the biggest thing I’ve had to learn this year.”

Wallace has made some big plays this year, including one to jumpstart the team in their win over the Giants, but far fewer than he’s made in the last two seasons. That’s not exactly the best way to head into free agency nor is admitting that you lose focus in games unless the ball is thrown to you, which leaves Wallace at least four games to leave a better impression.