The Seahawks are cleaning house. The team informed eight-time All Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner that he’ll be released, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
[RELATED: Seahawks To Trade Russell Wilson To Broncos]
Wagner had spent his entire career in Seattle, joining the organization when he was selected in the second round of the 2012 draft. He came off the board a round before future teammate Russell Wilson…who, of course, was traded to the Broncos earlier today. Wagner and Wilson were previously the two longest-tenured members of their team.
Wagner quickly established himself as a key member of the Seahawks defense, starting 15 games as a rookie. He started all three playoff games during the Seahawks Super Bowl-winning 2013 campaign, and he then proceeded to go on an eight-year run of Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. During that stretch, Wagner averaged 145 tackles per season, and he’ll leave the organization as the Seahawks’ all-time leader in tackles.
The 31-year-old was still productive in 2021, compiling a career-high 170 tackles to go along with three tackles for loss and three QB hits. However, his $20.35MM cap hit for next season had Wagner admitting that he could be done in Seattle.
“You think about it,” Wagner said in December (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson). “You think about what the next year looks like and what the future holds because this was a season that I don’t think we all planned for. We didn’t plan for the season to go this way, so obviously there’s going to be some changes and whether or not I’m part of those changes, I don’t know.”
With Wilson gone, it was clear that the Seahawks were pivoting toward a rebuild. This move will save the organization $16.6MM against the cap. He’ll leave behind $3.75MM in dead cap.
Steelers
I would love it but I’m not holding my breath.
Jody Allen destroying the Seahawks, just like she did with the Blazers.
How? Seahawks were long in need of a rebuild! Russ was all that was between them and losing. Now hes gone so no point in wagner. Respect him and let him go wherr he can win another ring
I still am always hesitant to trade a qb as good as Wilson. They don’t grow on trees
Seattle won their division once in the past 5 years. Wilson is a decent QB, but everyone knows they have one Super Bowl win because of their defense and would have two if they didn’t have Wilson. Once they started paying Wilson elite QB money they started losing their defense. He wasn’t worth the money he was paid as he couldn’t cover that void like Brady, Rodgers, and Manning could.
??? huh?
I’d argue that they’d have two if not for their head coach.
Lol! Emotional posts are my favorite. This is 100% the right move for the team and for Bobby in all fairness
Seahawks were 7-10 last year, with Wagner and Wilson not getting any younger (nor is Carroll, for that matter). A full tear-down is a good move, especially considering the haul they got for Wilson.
I agree on the Blazers, though. No idea what they’re up to. They traded Hood and Gary Trent, Jr for Norman Powell, then re-signed Powell, only to trade him away with Robert Covington (who they traded Isaiah Stewart and a 1st to acquire) for garbage like Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, and Keon Johnson. Baffling, and that’s not even talking about the CJ trade (a first, Josh Hart, and more garbage).
Oh wow. Full tank. Play Lock this year, bottom out in a presumably better QB draft. I’m sure Wagner doesn’t want to be around for that.
This is frightening. John and Pete have drafted 1 All Pro in their last 52 attempts (and it is the punter) and now they are going to lead a rebuild? Sad day in Seattle. Move over Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders there is a new player in town.
Yeah, it’d be easier to like the trade for them if they weren’t such wonky drafters in recent years.
Yeah yeah. Post this about fifty more times.
OK. Cut and paste makes it easy! Why do you care? Just curious. You think this a good move for the organization or you just trolling Seahawks fans that used to have an NFL team and now we are the Panthers?
Is Carroll a lock to return?
Good question. I don’t think it’s a full rebuild. They ha e a history of thinking they are better than they are. Quite a bit of cap space also.
DK Metcalf was 2nd team all pro in 2020
Hasnt Tyler Lockett been an all pro punt returner and made 2nd team all pros before?
Yes. But he is not one of their last 52 draft picks.
Dolphins will be as good of spot as any $$$ wise
Browns have entered the chat
DK Metcalf to the Eagles for 1st rd pick
Two 1st round picks please.
Two first rounders is rich for a guy with one year til free agency.
Yup. Maybe a first and some swaps. No way DK wants to play for a tanking team with Lock at QB.
They’re breaking it all down.
Will Pete Carroll stick around ?
There are still some good options
on the coaching carousel.
Could Seattle make a run at
Sean Payton next year ?
If that was the case, they should have fired Pete and hired Nathaniel Hackett. Ownership picked John and Pete over Russ.
DK to the Raiders would be dope
I couldn’t tell you a move that would make more sense for a team, than pitttsburgh to sign Bobby and let him play with Bush, and help that kid learn.
Why would how go from one team that’s going nowhere to another team that’s going nowhere?
Because Wagner has nothing left to prove in the NFL you imbecile. Super bowl, 8 time all pro/pro bowl. If the Steelers are willing to pay why not?
Lol, maybe he might want to win. Imbecile
Lol, You only say that because your mother gave him a Cambodian creamsicle Ray, lol.
Lol Ray, lol.
He had no trade value? Because of his contract?
Bobby Wagner was an amazing seahawk and will have his number retired at some point. Still has some in the tank but as a free agent he will get a 1, maybe 2 yr deal at 6MM a year. Makes no sense for seahawks to pay $20 million. Trading for him means a team would give up something and pay him16 million for a year (hawks responsible for bonus)
I know it is a pipe dream but man I would love to see Bobby Wagner in Detroit. He would be a HUGE get for that defense and would make it significantly better with the move to more 4 man fronts.