Former Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner has agreed to return to the Seattle Seahawks on a one-year deal worth $7 million.
Just a few weeks ago the Rams and Wagner mutually decided to part ways after he signed a five-year deal last offseason to join the team. But with the Rams needing to cut salary the two sides decided to split, opening the door for a return back to where he had spent the entirety of his career prior to last season.
A second-round pick of the Seahawks in 2012, Wagner spent his first 10 seasons in Seattle, becoming arguably the premier player at his position in the league. Wagner totaled 1,383 tackles while being named a first-team All-Pro six times and a second-team All-Pro another two times in those 10 seasons while also helping the team to its first Super Bowl victory in franchise history in 2013.
Wagner joined the Rams last season expecting to compete for another Super Bowl, but injuries completely derailed the team, though Wagner was one of the few able to escape that injury bug. The linebacker appeared in all 17 games for the Rams last season and finished with 140 tackles and a career-high six sacks. He also added 10 tackles for loss and five passes defensed as he was named a second-team All-Pro for the third time in his career.
Though Wagner’s tenure with the Rams did not go the way anyone hoped it would, it did allow the Southern California native to play in front of his family for at least one season. Wagner was born in Los Angeles and starred at Colony High School in Ontario.
Replacing Wagner will not be an easy task for defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, but the franchise is in the midst of a reset as a lot of familiar faces are now out the door.
Bobby Wagner one of many losses on defensive side of the ball for the Rams
Wagner was arguably the Rams’ most consistent player on defense last season, but he is one of many players no that side of the ball who are no longer with the team.
The other big name to depart was cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who was traded to the Miami Dolphins, but the secondary has also lost safeties Nick Scott and Taylor Rapp as well as cornerback David Long Jr.
Additionally, defensive tackle Greg Gaines, who ranked fifth on the team in sacks last season, joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason.
