Bobby Wagner‘s reunion with Dan Quinn will last another year. After being on three teams from 2022-24, Wagner is staying in Washington.
The Commanders have a deal in place with the future Hall of Fame linebacker, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report. The contract includes $8MM guaranteed and can max out at $9.5MM. Wagner continued his run of durability and production, helping the Commanders to one of the most surprising conference championship journeys in NFL history.
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This marks Wagner’s fourth contract in four years. After the Seahawks cut him in 2022, the Rams did the same a year later. Wagner returned to Seattle on a one-year deal in 2023 but left to rejoin Quinn — his defensive coordinator from 2013-14 in Seattle — in Washington. The Commanders benefited from Wagner’s production and leadership, as he played 17 games and continued an astonishing streak.
Last season marked Wagner’s 11th straight earning an All-Pro nod. The former Super Bowl starter collected a second-team accolade for his work in Washington, making him an 11-time All-Pro (six first teams, five second teams). Only Hall of Famers Joe Schmidt, Ray Lewis and Mike Singletary have earned more first-team All-Pro honors among off-ball ‘backers than Wagner’s six. On his way to join them in Canton, Wagner will play a 14th NFL season. He will turn 35 in June.
Wagner, who has missed one game over the past six seasons, made 132 tackles (10 for loss) and added two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Long admirers of Wagner’s work, Pro Football Focus ranked the veteran as last season’s third-best off-ball linebacker. PFF has ranked Wagner as a top-10 ILB 12 times. Author of one of the modern game’s steadiest careers, Wagner will earn a raise on his 2024 contract (one year, $6.5MM).
Formerly in place as the front-seven anchor during the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom teams, Wagner hung on much longer than those DB pillars. His first Seahawks stint lasted 10 seasons, and his second brought an NFL-leading 183 tackles in 2023. Wagner, who ran his sack count to 35 last season, still playing at a high level helped the Commanders as they went from rebuilding team to the NFC runner-up.
Quinn brought in Wagner and Frankie Luvu to lead his linebacking corps. Both signings worked out splendidly, as Luvu continued his hybrid work by delivering a 99-tackle, eight-sack season. Luvu, who is on a three-year deal, will have another chance to play alongside one of the best to ever do it. The Commanders, who ranked 18th defensively and gave up 55 points in the NFC championship game, intend to do more to bolster the unit. But Wagner staying represents an important piece.
Great move for both sides
Well deserved resigning…wish we still had him in a hawks uniform.
How the Hawks let an all timer walk out the door twice when he plays every game, plays at an all pro level and at a reasonable price is baffling
2022 he made choice to rejoin Dan Quinn…but Hawks should have fought harder to keep him
Bobby is one of my all time favorites. I wish he was still in a Hawk uni. What I don’t miss is his inability to cover the TE on pass plays. His one dark spot. Once the TE gets a step on him he can’t get it back. Getting the step on him is the hard part but if they get it I see Bobby doing the windmill chase. Trying to grab the guy who is beyond him. Dan can work to keep him from pairing up with a TE and he looks like a SS. You know that beautiful 70 Chevelle SS 396 does everything you want and more just in a straight line. You want that thing to turn and you got problems.