Ravens Submit Offer To LB Bobby Wagner
MARCH 28: The Ravens have made an offer for Wagner, one Josina Anderson of USA Today notes the team believes is “very competitive” (Twitter link) compared to the Rams’ effort. Baltimore is pitching Wagner on being a key cog for a defense already housing notable veterans, a group that now includes Marcus Williams.
MARCH 25: Bobby Wagner continues to survey an active market. After his Rams visit, the future Hall of Fame linebacker trekked to Baltimore for a Ravens meeting Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
The Ravens possess “high interest” in Wagner, per Fowler. Wagner has been connected to mostly NFC teams thus far. The Rams, 49ers, Cardinals, Broncos and Cowboys have been linked to the 10-year veteran, though Dallas — despite Wagner and Dan Quinn‘s offseason conversations — is not expected to be a top player here. The Broncos have been mentioned as a suitor as well, with Russell Wilson attempting to recruit his longtime teammate.
Baltimore and Los Angeles reside next to one another in terms of cap space, with the Ravens holding just more than $10MM and the Rams sitting at barely $8MM. Neither team has a notable veteran off-ball linebacker contract on its books. Josh Bynes, a 12-game Baltimore starter last season, is a free agent. The Rams are not big on veteran inside linebacker contracts, given their big-ticket deals at higher-priority positions, but Wagner’s pedigree has GM Les Snead considering an exception.
Wagner, 31, has made the past eight Pro Bowls and is one of the few six-time All-Pros in linebacker annals. He is one shy of Raven cornerstone Ray Lewis‘ seven, though Wagner reached six quicker than the first-ballot Hall of Famer did. The Seahawks made him a cap casualty hours after trading Wilson, severing ties with the franchise’s Super Bowl cornerstones. Despite missing a game, Wagner recorded a career-high 170 tackles last season. The longtime Seattle middle ‘backer has missed just three games in the past seven seasons.
The Ravens devoted a sizable chunk of their offseason funds to Marcus Williams, who signed a five-year deal worth $70MM, and are targeting defensive linemen. But gauging Wagner’s market certainly is not out of character here. The Ravens have not been shy about acquiring proven veteran defenders under Eric DeCosta, having added 30-something Pro Bowlers in Calais Campbell and Justin Houston in recent years and signed ex-Wagner teammate Earl Thomas.
LB Bobby Wagner Visiting Rams
The Super Bowl champs are eyeing one of the best remaining free agents. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that linebacker Bobby Wagner is visiting with the Rams. There is “mutual interest” in a deal.
It was only yesterday that GM Les Snead admitted that the Rams “talked about” adding the veteran linebacker, and the executive met with his defensive coaching staff to determine if Wagner was a fit. That wasn’t the first time we’ve heard the Rams connected to Wagner; all of the NFC West teams were mentioned as suitors after the linebacker was let go by the Seahawks. The Broncos and Cowboys have also been connected to the 31-year-old.
Wagner 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 left 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.
Wagner would be a huge get for a Rams defense that recently lost a pass rusher in Von Miller. Wagner wouldn’t necessarily play the same role, but he’d surely provide an upgrade over Ernest Jones, Travin Howard, and Christian Rozeboom at inside linebacker.
Latest On LB Bobby Wagner
Bobby Wagner still hasn’t found a new home, but we’re learning some details about his suitors’ pursuits. Rams GM Les Snead admitted that the Rams “talked about” adding the veteran linebacker (via Michael J. Duarte on Twitter). The GM even met with the defensive coaching staff to break down tape and determine if Wagner would be a fit.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard the Rams connected to Wagner; all of the NFC West teams were mentioned as suitors after the linebacker was let go by the Seahawks. The Broncos and Cowboys have also been connected to the 31-year-old.
Speaking of the Cowboys, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports (on Twitter) that “no momentum exists” between Wagner and Dallas. Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is familiar with Wagner dating back from their days in Seattle, and according to Gehlken, the coach has been in contact with the player, who is serving as his own agent. While there is a “strong relationship” between the two, the reporter says a deal was considered “unlikely” and a “long shot” from the start.
Wagner 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 left 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.
Inside Linebacker Market
There are many inside linebackers waiting patiently on the open market. A wild first week of free agency has come and gone with other positions seeing record deals and big names moving. The market for inside linebackers, however, has been quiet and less than lucrative.
In years past, we’ve seen monster deals to players like C.J. Mosley, whose contract has an average annual value of $17MM and guaranteed him $43MM at signing, and Darius Leonard, whose contract has an average annual value of $19.7MM and guaranteed him $33MM at signing. The largest payout we’ve seen this offseason to an inside linebacker was when the Packers kept De’Vondre Campbell from entering free agency with a five-year, $50MM deal, with a guaranteed $15MM. It’s certainly an impressive deal, and one the esteemed linebacker deserves, but no other deals have come close.
After being cut by the Jaguars, Myles Jack signed a two-year, $16MM deal to become a Steeler. Josey Jewell remained with the Broncos after signing a two-year, $11MM deal. Minnesota’s new inside linebacker, Jordan Hicks, joined the Vikings on a two-year, $10MM contract. Christian Kirksey signed a similar deal to remain with the Texans. We’ve seen a few other small deals like Zaire Franklin signing a three-year, $10MM deal to remain in Indianapolis and Alex Anzalone signing a one-year, $2.25MM contract to play another year with the Lions.
While that may sound pretty active, there are many big names who have yet to find deals. The biggest of these names is Bobby Wagner. Cut after ten outstanding years in Seattle, Wagner was expected to be a highly sought after free agent. While there have been many teams who’ve voiced interest in the eight-time All-Pro, there has been no word of negotiations. Any deal Wagner signs will likely top the numbers posed by Campbell and the Packers, but the fact that he has yet to find a home may hint at the fact that the money he’s looking for isn’t being offered.
There are many other impact names on the open market: Kwon Alexander, Jayon Brown, Jarrad Davis, Dont’a Hightower, Anthony Hitchens, Nick Kwiatkoski, Reggie Ragland, Joe Schobert, and Danny Trevathan.
Due to the low spending we’ve seen thus far and the plethora of names available, these players will likely have to search for the right fit and accept a decent deal if offered. They may end up having to wait until injuries provide an opportunity for them to fill in on a roster. The exception, of course, is Wagner, who can afford to be patient. Wagner will have the luxury of being able to wait and see how rosters form throughout the league, biding his time until he’s sure he’s joining a contender. Look for the others to give up on looking for a lucrative payday and settle for decent deals from teams with schemes they like.
Broncos Interested In Bobby Wagner?
Linked to every non-Seahawks NFC West franchise, Bobby Wagner appears to have heard from their other future Hall of Fame 2012 draftee. Russell Wilson is attempting to recruit Wagner to Denver, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
Wilson is not officially a member of the Broncos yet, with trades not yet official until Wednesday’s start of the 2022 league year, but he is getting an early start as the face of the franchise. Wilson and Wagner played together in Seattle for 10 seasons. Each departed on the same day, with the Seahawks trading Wilson and making Wagner a cap casualty.
Wagner still has seen extensive interest come his way, per Fowler. The Cardinals, Rams and 49ers are believed to be interested, though the Cowboys — who employ ex-Seahawks DC Dan Quinn as their defensive play-caller — do not appear to be a serious suitor. The Broncos have a need at inside linebacker, with both Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell in free agency. But they have needs at premium positions — such as edge rusher and right tackle — as well.
A six-time All-Pro, Wagner has made the past eight Pro Bowls and would certainly help a Broncos defense that has seen several starters either traded (Shelby Harris) or hit free agency (Johnson, Jewell, Kareem Jackson, Bryce Callahan). Denver has also used a 3-4 defense for the past seven seasons, though with sub-packages more common than base sets, the veteran middle linebacker moving from Seattle’s 4-3 scheme to a different front-seven setup likely would not be much of an issue.
Cowboys Interested In Bobby Wagner?
Since his Seahawks release, Bobby Wagner has been connected to the rest of the NFC West’s franchises. A reunion with Dan Quinn may or may not be on the table.
The Cowboys have contacted Wagner about reuniting with Quinn, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets. While the team is uncertain about this working out financially, interest exists here. Quinn worked as Seattle’s DC during the team’s two Super Bowl seasons, which saw Wagner begin his eight-year run of Pro Bowl honors.
The future Hall of Fame middle linebacker also might price himself out of Dallas’ market, with Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram adding (via Twitter) the the Cowboys are not expected to end up with Wagner due to financial constraints. They may not be especially interested. The Cowboys are expected to sit this one out, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News adds (on Twitter).
As of Friday afternoon, the Cowboys remain over the cap by around $1MM. The Cowboys are not discussing terms with Wagner yet, per CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, who adds (on Twitter) the team views Wagner as a fit. He would play alongside Defensive Rookie of the Year Micah Parsons, which would be quite the tandem on the Cowboys’ defensive second level. Leighton Vander Esch is a free agent.
Dallas is expected to cut or trade Amari Cooper, though he remains with the team, and has asked DeMarcus Lawrence to take a pay cut. They have also discussed La’el Collins with teams. Dallas also needs a chunk of cash for Dalton Schultz‘s franchise tag, which became official earlier this week.
Wagner, 31, has been connected to the Cardinals, Rams and 49ers thus far. More teams are likely monitoring this situation, given Wagner’s accomplishments. The more teams connected to the six-time All-Pro will only up the price for one of the most decorated street free agents in modern NFL history.
49ers, Rams, Cards Interested In Bobby Wagner
It sounds like Bobby Wagner won’t be out of work for long. The 49ers, Rams, and Cardinals are interested in the longtime Seahawks linebacker, according to sources who spoke with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Seahawks Trade Wilson To Broncos]
Those NFC West teams are already familiar with what Wagner brings to the table, especially since they’ve each faced him twice per regular season. Of course, they still have to consider the finances. In the case of the star-studded Rams, there’s no room to give Wagner the type of deal he was playing under before. They won’t approach his old $16MM/year contract, but Jourdan Rodrigue of TheAthletic.com hears that they are willing to go into the $4MM-$5MM range. That may or may not work for Wagner, who would also have to cede snaps to youngster Ernest Jones.
Wagner, 32 in June, spent his entire career in Seattle, up until yesterday’s release. The 2012 second-round pick was a pillar of the Seahawks’ D from the jump, starting 15 games as a rookie and 150 games to date. His tenure also saw 16 playoff starts, including the post-2013 campaign which ended in a Super Bowl.
All together, Wagner leaves the Seahawks as an eight-time All Pro and the franchise’s’ all-time leader in total tackles. Now, the Seahawks could be on the verge of seeing him at least twice in 2022.
Seahawks To Release LB Bobby Wagner
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.
Latest On Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll
After an offseason in which Russell Wilson‘s long-term Seattle future suddenly became cloudy, the 10th-year quarterback suffered his first major injury. And he has not played to his usual standards upon return. The Seahawks will finish below .500 for the first time in his tenure.
Wilson is signed through 2023, though the events of this past offseason figure to put him back in trade rumors fairly soon. The decorated passer made an interesting comment regarding his Seattle status ahead of Week 17 as well.
“I know you guys asked Bobby [Wagner] about ‘Could this be your last game?’ this and that and all that. I know for me personally, I hope it’s not my last game,” Wilson said of the prospect Sunday is his last home game as a Seahawk, via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta. “But at the same time, I know it won’t be my last game in NFL. So I’m just focused on the day and getting better today. And so that’s my focus. That’s my goal. I love this city, and I love this moment. I love these guys.”
Wilson, 33, offered this response unprompted, closing out 2021 with more uncertainty in Seattle. The Seahawks have some leverage with Wilson, having signed him to a four-year, $140MM extension in 2019. Wilson also holds a no-trade clause. Unlike Aaron Rodgers, Wilson did not stage a holdout this year. But the Seahawks are 5-10 and, barring a major trade, will not have a first-round pick in April.
Wagner’s comment about his Seahawks future centered around his $20.35MM cap number in the final year of his contract. The team is, however, projected to hold more than $55MM in cap space — a top-10 figure leaguewide. But, after the Seahawks entered this past offseason after a 12-4 season, they have bigger questions about their future a year later.
Pete Carroll‘s status may be somewhat in question, given this disappointing season coming after a slew of Wilson offseason headlines, but the 12th-year Seattle HC signed an extension barely a year ago. Carroll is locked up through 2025. The 70-year-old coach is also not viewed as ready to step away on his own accord, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. While this is Carroll’s first 10-loss season at any level since his first Jets slate in 1994, Breer adds ownership is not pleased with where the Seahawks football operation stands presently.
After Wilson listed the Raiders, Bears, Cowboys and Saints as teams he would approve a trade to, the Broncos, Giants and Saints appeared on a new list of sorts during the season. Wilson did call the initial report including these new teams a non-story. Nevertheless, how the Seahawks proceed will easily be one of the most fascinating situations to monitor entering 2022.
Indeed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com says there is a “leaguewide feeling” that Wilson and Carroll will not be together next year. That’s not particularly surprising in light of everything we have heard so far, but as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk points out, Schefter’s report — which includes somewhat vague language — could be interpreted as a renewed attempt by Wilson’s camp to force Seattle’s hand. After all, it was Schefter to whom Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, released the statement last year that Wilson would be willing to waive his no-trade clause for a handful of teams, which is what precipitated the Bears’ efforts to acquire the seven-time Pro Bowler and the rampant chatter about his future.
One way or another, Florio believes the ‘Hawks will make a decision on Carroll before deciding how to handle the Wilson situation.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
Injury Notes: Fisher, Cannon, Wagner
The Colts were hoping for a Week 1 return for new LT Eric Fisher, who has been rehabbing from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered as a member of the Chiefs in January. According to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star, Fisher had a real chance to suit up for the September 12 opener against Seattle, but his recent positive test for COVID-19 has seriously complicated matters.
Fisher’s positive result has forced him to quarantine for 10 days — which suggests he is not vaccinated — so he is unable to continue his rehab at the team facility. As such, there is no way for the Colts to comment on his availability until he is activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Until he is ready to go, Indy will roll with Julie’n Davenport at left tackle.
Let’s take a look at several other injury-related items:
- Texans OL Marcus Cannon was recently activated off the PUP list, and as veteran NFL reporter Aaron Wilson tweets, there is optimism that Cannon could be ready for Week 1. Houston acquired Cannon in a March trade with the Patriots, but the 33-year-old underwent knee surgery in June and had been recovering ever since. For now, Houston is set to deploy second-year pro Charlie Heck at RT, but Cannon could push Heck for that job while also providing valuable depth at multiple spots along the O-line.
- The Seahawks have been without LB Bobby Wagner for the past few practices, but there is no cause for alarm. Per head coach Pete Carroll (via Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk), Wagner is simply recovering from a minor knee procedure similar to those he has undergone in recent preseasons. The future Hall-of-Famer has missed just two games over the past six years.
- The fact that Broncos OL Brett Jones landed on IR prior to final cutdown day suggested that his season was over, and that turned out to be the case. Mike Klis of 9News.com recently tweeted that Jones suffered a torn biceps in the team’s second preseason game and required season-ending surgery. Jones, who appeared in 61 games (19 starts) with the Giants and Vikings over the past five seasons, just signed with Denver in July.