The linebacker spot could see plenty of upheaval this offseason in Seattle. Jordyn Brooks, Bobby Wagner and Devin Bush are each pending free agents, and their chances of being retained vary. 
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Brooks, 26, is set to see his rookie contract expire since the Seahawks declined his fifth-year option last spring. That move fell in line with those made by other teams in the same position, but it set up the 2023 season as a platform campaign. Brooks delivered another impactful season (111 tackles, a pick-six and a career-high 4.5 sacks). He could soon parlay his production into a new deal.
Michael Shawn-Dugar of The Athletic notes that Brooks wants to re-sign with the Seahawks (subscription required). He adds that the Texas Tech product is a key free agent priority for Seattle and is the likeliest of the LB trio to be retained. Brooks has been a mainstay on defense since becoming a starter, and he led the NFL in solo tackles in 2021. An ACL tear ended his 2022 campaign, but he managed to recover in time for the start of this past season.
Brooks’ play saw an uptick with the return of Wagner following his one-and-done Rams campaign. The latter’s Seattle departure, Shawn-Dugar notes, was driven more by general manager John Schneider than head coach Pete Carroll. With Carroll having shifted to an advisory role, Schneider now has full roster control. Shawn-Dugar thus describes another deal with Wagner as “unlikely.”
The 33-year-old added to his considerable accolades in 2023, earning second-team All-Pro honors and receiving a Pro Bowl invite. He is committed to playing next season, but the Seahawks have a number of decisions to make at the LB position among others. A new deal for defensive lineman Leonard Williams could soon be on the table, and Seattle will be looking to improve its front seven after continuing to struggle against the run.
Wagner led the league in tackles last season, so he would likely be a productive contributor for the Seahawks or another interested team. Seattle is currently slated to be $5.2MM over the cap, though, and teams rarely make lucrative commitments to more than one inside linebacker at a time. If Brooks is indeed seen as a higher priority, then, Wagner could once again find himself on the move in free agency.
I get that Wagner is old, but he’s not slowing down and obviously prefers being in Seattle. Brooks is solid, but Wagner, despite his age, was the superior player. Normally you would be wary of the veteran producing at a high level again, but the guy was a second team All-Pro again (4 time second team, six time first team-which is completely mindboggling) at age 33, and he’s been nothing but consistent throughout his career. Why a short term deal wouldn’t be on the table is beyond me.
Hawks have some tough desicions to make. Wagner is a fan favorite here. I still think we are gonna see ways to free up money and have more cap to keep players like Wagner. Adams for example.