Tag: bobby wagner seahawks

Future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner says he ‘still has so much to prove’

We don’t think he has anything to prove, but that’s probably why he’s Bobby Wagner and we’re writing about Bobby Wagner from the couch.

Bobby Wagner returned to the field with Seahawks fans present for the first time in about a year and a half yesterday. Seattle held the first training camp practice of the 2023 season the VMAC on Wednesday and one thing that’s  clear is that Wagner is the most-popular player on this roster – with the fans’ fondness made all the stronger by his one-season absence.

When practice was over, No. 54 addressed the crowd and thanked them for their support – which included “Bobby” chants. Later at night Wagner shared a photo of himself on Twitter with a message saying he can’t wait to play and has so much to prove.

We don’t think he has anything to prove, but that’s probably why he’s Bobby Wagner and we’re writing about Bobby Wagner from the couch.

In any case, Wagner graded out as the top linebacker in the league last season by Pro Football Focus. Whether you agree or not the point stands that Wagner remains one of the best off-ball linebackers in the game, even at 33 years old. PFF has Seattle’s top-heavy linebacker unit ranked No. 7 in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.

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Analysis: Seahawks fill biggest roster hole by bringing back Bobby Wagner

A one-year contract for a 32-year old off-ball linebacker usually doesn’t move the needle much in the modern NFL. This is not your average off-ball linebacker, though.

Seattle’s defensive front-seven overhaul continued on Saturday, with the team bringing back former linebacker Bobby Wagner on a one-year deal.

A one-year contract for a 32-year old off-ball linebacker usually doesn’t move the needle much in the modern NFL. This is not your average off-ball linebacker, though. He has had worthy contenders like Luke Kuechly and Lavonte David, but Wagner is the heavyweight-champion for the post-Ray Lewis generation of linebackers.

Fans may have had their perception of Wagner tainted by the last time he was in a Seattle uniform – but his uncharacteristic off-year in 2021 isn’t an accurate reflection of what Wagner can do.

In his one year with the Rams Wagner proved that he can still be an extremely disruptive defender and play his position about as well as anybody in the league.

Moreover, while Wagner was down in LA the Seahawks completely fell apart at this position. Jordyn Brooks took over as the centerpiece for their defense but continued to struggle in coverage, a weakness that their more clever opponents exploited throughout the 2022 season.

With Brooks now nursing a late-season ACL tear, their need for an upgrade was even greater. There wasn’t a better one on the market – to say nothing of picking up an experienced, instinctive defender who already knows the way Pete Carroll’s staff does things.

What this means for Seattle’s 2023 NFL draft plans and the offseason after this one is anybody’s guess. For now the outlook for this upcoming season just got a whole lot better.

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Seahawks players and fans celebrate Bobby Wagner’s return

Here’s how players and fans are reacting to the good news.

The greatest defender in Seahawks history is returning to Seattle on a one-year deal. Bobby Wagner isn’t back one moment too soon, either. No NFL team had a greater need at linebacker and nobody got a bigger upgrade this offseason.

Here’s how players and fans are reacting to the news.

Bobby Wagner changes his Twitter header to photo of Seattle skyline

The Rams announced Wagner’s release yesterday, but he won’t officially become a free agent until March 15.

The Seahawks are very much interested in re-signing former linebacker Bobby Wagner, according to a report by the Tacoma News Tribune. It looks like Wagner may be interested in a reunion, as well.

While it’s far from a confirmation of his plans as a free agent, Wagner’s recent social media changes are certainly an interesting development for fans hoping that he will return. This morning on Twitter Jessamyn McIntyre at KJR radio pointed out that Bobby’s header on Twitter is now a gorgeous photo of the Seattle skyline at sunset.

via @JessamynMcIntyre

Some of Wagner’s former teammates have also been quite vocal on social media lobbying for him to come back.

Free safety Quandre Diggs has been the head cheerleaeder in this department, sharing several messages tagging him – including one that Wagner replied to:

The Rams announced Wagner’s release yesterday, but he won’t officially become a free agent until March 15.

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Rams release Bobby Wagner just one year into 5-year deal

According to Adam Schefter at ESPN, they “mutually agreed” to part ways.

Last offseason the Los Angeles Rams signed former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner to a five-year, $50 million deal. Fast forward just 11 months later and LA has released him.

According to Adam Schefter at ESPN, they “mutually agreed” to part ways.

Consider us a little skeptical on that part.

It certainly seems like Wagner may have disagreed with that characterization. In a tweet that he’s since deleted, Wagner shared a three-word response that indicates it was anything but mutual.

via Twitter

Wagner might be referring to something else, but it’s a stretch to think it’s about anything but his (former) contract.

And so, Bobby will become a free agent again and has every reason to expect to cash in. During the 2022 season Wagner posted 140 combined tackles, his 11th straight year of hitting the century mark. In coverage he only allowed two touchdowns and an 87.1 passer rating. At the end of the season Pro Football Focus graded him out as the best off-ball linebacker in the league.

We know a team that could use a good linebacker. This morning we ranked eight potential options for Seattle, with Lavonte David of the Bucs taking the top spot. Needless to say, Wagner would be No. 1 on that list right now.

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Seahawks make linebacker Bobby Wagner’s release official

A day after the rumors began to swirl, the Seattle Seahawks make linebacker Bobby Wagner’s release official.

Tuesday was a wild day in Seattle, with the news the Seahawks had traded quarterback Russell Wilson in principle to the Denver Broncos. Later that evening, the organization parted ways with veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner.

“This is an extremely difficult day for the organization,” general manager John Schneider said via the Seahawks website. “Bobby has been at the center of our defense for the past 10 seasons and always represented our organization with class. He is a special player and person, and we are forever grateful. Bobby will always be a Hawk.”

The Seahawks officially announced Wagner’s release on Wednesday afternoon.

“Bobby is one of the great Seahawks of all time,” coach Pete Carroll said. “His leadership in the community, locker room, and on the field is a tribute to his character and consistency. Bobby set an incredible example for all to follow, and we will continue to follow him all the way to the Hall of Fame.”

With his release, Wagner immediately becomes an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with the team of his choosing.

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