Becoming a lock Hall of Famer during his first Seahawks stint, Bobby Wagner finished his one-and-done Rams stay as a second-team All-Pro. Wagner has earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors in nine straight seasons. Even as the decorated linebacker enters his age-33 season, he looks to be a major addition for a Seahawks team that lost Cody Barton in free agency.
Wagner is back in Seattle on a one-year deal worth $5.5MM. Pro Football Focus’ top-graded 2022 linebacker joins ex-Steeler Devin Bush as additions the Seahawks made on their defensive second level this offseason. While the 2012 second-round pick is only committed to the team for one more season, he said (via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta) the goal will be to play beyond 2023.
The 10-year Seahawks starter acknowledged he is on a year-to-year arrangement at this point in his career, but as of now, retirement is not the plan for 2024. This could be significant for the Seahawks, given Wagner’s 2022 form. He finished with 140 tackles — down from his 170-tackle surge in 2021 — but a career-high six sacks, showing intriguing form in Los Angeles’ 3-4 scheme. Wagner, who patrolled the middle of a 4-3 Seattle look throughout his first Seahawks stint, will step into DC Clint Hurtt‘s 3-4 setup soon.
As for the Hawks’ plans regarding Wagner’s usage, ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson notes Pete Carroll and John Schneider have hinted at a reduced workload compared to his ironman snap rate during his first Seattle run. Wagner hardly left the field during his initial Seahawks tenure, playing no fewer than 93% of the team’s defensive snaps from 2013-21. For a Rams team that lost numerous starters to injury last season, Wagner was on the field for 99% of the team’s defensive plays.
Given Wagner’s age, it makes sense for the Seahawks to attempt a conservation effort. He has logged more than 1,000 defensive snaps in six of the past seven seasons, topping 1,100 in 2020 and ’21. That said, Condotta adds Wagner will likely begin the season wearing the green dot — signifying headset communication — due to his experience and Jordyn Brooks‘ January ACL tear. Wagner is certainly an ideal player for that role, and it is possible he plays a higher snap percentage early in the season — as Brooks finishes up his rehab effort — than he does down the stretch. But planning to take Wagner off the field and actually doing so will be different matters for the Seahawks, who have seen few players contribute as much to their cause in team history.
Brooks, who is going into his fourth season, did not undergo ACL surgery until late January. He will be a candidate to begin the season on the reserve/PUP list, which would sideline the former first-round pick for at least four games to begin the campaign. Wagner represents an ideal option to hold down the fort until his former sidekick returns. Once that happens, the Wagner-Brooks duo the team deployed at linebacker in 2021 will likely reform.
A lot more Bobby coming forward and a lot less chasing TE across the field.
No one doubted Bobby would retire, could see him playing 15 seasons minimum