Playing his age-35 season in 2025, Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner continued to excel. The 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year does not have a contract for next season, but he “fully intends” to play, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports.
A 10-time Pro Bowl whose resume also includes six first-team All-Pro nods, Wagner has mixed durability with outstanding production over a combined 14 years with the Seahawks, Rams and Commanders. The future Hall of Famer is now coming off his fourth straight 17-game season and his second in Washington, which has signed him to two straight one-year deals. The Commanders inked Wagner to an $6MM guarantee in 2024 and then bumped the number to $8MM a year ago.
While the Commanders sputtered to a 5-12 record after going 12-5 in Wagner’s first season, he remained a bright spot in 2025. Although Wagner went without either a Pro Bowl invite or an All-Pro selection for the first time since 2013, he finished fifth in the NFL in tackles (162) and eighth in pressures (20). Wagner was one of just two players to pile up 150-plus tackles and miss fewer than 10, according to Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus. He also notched nine QB hits, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four passes defensed and two interceptions.
Along with his gaudy counting stats, Wagner finished as PFF’s seventh-ranked linebacker among 88 qualifiers. The 6-foot, 242-pounder was especially effective as a pass rusher (third) and a run defender (fifth).
With his Commanders future up in the air, Wagner is on track to join a crowded market of free agents at his position. The likes of Devin Lloyd, Demario Davis, Lavonte David, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean are just a few of many established names seeking contracts. Wagner is one of the oldest of the bunch, but as someone who continues to log sky-high production, he’ll have no trouble securing another nice payday on a short-term pact.
Must be a slow news day when the big article is about guy who intends to play, but has no contract.
Should come to Buffalo, who need run defense.
Not surprising he still wants to play. He’s still really, really good.
It sounds crazy to say it, but one could make an argument for Wagner as the best inside linebacker ever. The closer that you look, the better he gets. To be clear, I am not making that argument myself-but, if you did, and you brought your stats, I’d really have to prepare to defend against it.
I would go with Ray Lewis, who is more considered a MLB, but youre right, not many that can compare to Wagner, though Skins fans like London Fletcher as well. Zack Thomas and Randy Gradishar compare also. Mike Singletary didnt play long enough and like Lewis, is considered more, a MLB.
Fletcher was amazing with multiple teams, too. Really lasted quite awhile at a high level.
I always thought of Urlacher as the ultimate MLB for his time but there have been some really good ones both during his time and after as well.
Ray Lewis is imo a Top 50 player ever regardless of position. I’d argue Kuechly should also be in that conversation.
Agreed on all counts. Y’all brought the same names that I’d raise, honestly. Sam Mills deserves a mention, and there are others.
The Kuechly-Wagner debate of the 2010s was intense. I hate that injuries had to intervene. That was a prime head-to -head for two of the most talented (and skilled) players that we’ve ever seen, regardless of position.
It’s incredible to me that even as the league has evolved into a more passer heavy gameplay this guy still manages the tackle numbers he does. Just a machine of a football player. Love watching him