The Pittsburg Steelers have decided not to keep longtime wide receiver Hines Ward, sources told the NFL network.

Reports that the Steelers would terminate Ward’s contract have been circulating for months. NFL insider Jason La Canfora confirmed things to NFL Total Access Friday night, saying that Ward would not be back next season despite his willingness to take a pay cut to his $4 million salary.

The Steelers are the only team the MVP has played for since being drafted in the 3rd round of the 1998 NFL draft and the longest tenured-player on the team. Ward has said he is willing to “play until the wheels fall off” and has made it very clear that he is willing to take less play.

ESPN points out that keeping Ward around as a reserve wide receiver makes little sense for the Steelers or Ward. “The fourth and fifth wide receivers on a team has to make contributions on special teams, which isn't Ward's specialty. That means Ward would be inactive for a majority of the games next season if Pittsburgh kept him.”

Reports indicate that with Ward gone the Steelers may turn their attention toward re-signing free-agent wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery.