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.
Would actually really like to see Earl Thomas come back. So many teams need a good safety. It’s just about finding a lock room he can fit in with. Definitely not a young team, has to be a somewhat contender and with good structure and lead by veterans.
Yes, because that worked out so well for the Ravens who have exactly what you just stated.
They guy is a basket case.
Just sign with Cowboys already.
he definitely deserves better than the rat birds
Better than one of the best franchises in football? A team that was 8-3 despite injuries up and down their roster and only really went down the tubes late in the season without their MVP QB.
Meanwhile the Cowboys pissed their pants late despite being on paper one of the most talented rosters in football. Yeah, Wagner should settle for that mediocrity.
Every team but Seattle wants Wagner, he’s a stud
Very true, and every team could use him, at least over their second ILB…Ecen 49ers with Warner and then Greenlaw and Al-Shaair could still use someone with Wagner’s abilities…
It really just comes down to available funds, and if it makes sense for your team’s construction to commit that kind of money to the MLB spot…If so, I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on signing him..
Just come to the Rams and win another Super Bowl!
I wish my Eagles would get interested in him
This would be a very Ravens signing, and may help get them back where they’re expected to be on defense for a couple of years. We kind of expect quality linebacker play in Baltimore, and though Wagner is certainly older and has some wear, he’s still elite and would help bring that stability and high standard inside that the Ravens love to build off-at least temporarily.
Imagine if they sign Wagner and then draft that Davis kid from Georgia in the first round.
Would fit in nice with Ram’s Defense.