Tag: Bobby Wagner Rams

Rams LB Bobby Wagner: Playing Seahawks twice a year was ‘cherry on top’

Linebacker Bobby Wagner told the media that facing the Seahawks twice a year was the “cherry on top” of his decision to sign with the Rams.

Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner had his first press conference as a Los Angeles Ram on Monday after officially signing his new contract and had some very interesting things to say about the decision to join his new team.

“A lot of people think that it went into my decision, being able to play the Seahawks, but I don’t have that much hate in my heart,” Wagner told reporters. “I really wanted to be happy, and I wanted to be close to home, and stay on the West Coast.”

Wagner has been open about his disappointment in the way the Seahawks handled the decision to release him without a proper heads-up after 10 solid years of service. Wagner, who acts as his own agent, does find some solace in the NFC West rivalry.

“That was important to me, but playing the Seahawks twice a year was the cherry on top,” Wagner continued. “And I’ll make sure they see me every time we play them.

“Y’all know where I’m at, and I’ll tell them, it won’t be a quiet game.”

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Bobby Wagner shares classy farewell message for Seattle

Bobby Wagner’s bad-look exit represents the lowest point for a Seahawks front office that has fallen out with more than one defensive star over the years.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said the team’s decision to cut Bobby Wagner was a heartbreaking one. He hit the exact right word to describe the emotion most Seattle fans felt when the news broke on Twitter. Later, we learned from Wagner that they didn’t even tell him he was being released and he found out the same way we did.

While it’s possible it was an honest mistake, that it was allowed to happen represents the lowest low for a front office that has made a habit of insulting their greatest defensive players on their way out the door. To their credit, they have since apologized.

Here’s what general manager John Schneider said about it, per Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times.

“That’s on me. . . I own that. I wish I could have handled things better in that regard, from a communication standpoint. I owe it to him. The organization owes it to him.”

Sometimes an apology isn’t enough, though.

Wagner leaving for the Rams on a five-year, $50 million deal brings to mind Richard Sherman, who signed with the NFC West rival 49ers four years ago after an ugly exit from Seattle.

Both were/are fantastic players, but we can understand how things went south with Sherman. One can also find a gray area with how their all-time great free safety Earl Thomas left the team on bad terms.

However, Bobby Wagner unequivocally deserved better from this organization. Unlike Sherman, Thomas or some of the other high-profile players who have fallen out with Pete Carroll and John Schneider, Wagner never once did anything to embarass the team and only ever carried himself with the utmost grace, humility and respect.

It comes as no surprise then that Wagner is sharing a classy farewell message for Seattle as he departs for LA.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CbypszOr4fJ/?utm_medium=copy_link

Notice that the word “Seattle” is mentioned three times and “Seahawks” none in his statement. There’s a very-good reason for that and it’s something this front office will have to reconcile with some day.

For now we’re grateful for the 10 years that Wagner put in and wish things had ended differently.

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