Bobby

Wagner

Wagner did not practice on Tuesday either. The veteran linebacker easily leads the Commanders in combined tackles with 137. He also has three sacks and two interceptions. Though Wagner isn’t the superstar linebacker he was years ago, he is still an integral part of Dan Quinn’s defense. Losing him would be a big blow to the Commanders ahead of Week 16.

The deal is worth “up to” $9.5 million and includes a strong $8 million guaranteed. We would assume those $1.5 million in incentives are somewhat easily attainable for the 34-year-old ‘backer. Although he’s no longer quite the All-Pro of his prime, Wagner remains well above average in the middle of the defense. That is to say nothing of his leadership abilities and “veteran savvy.” Also extremely durable, Wagner is a decent bet to keep Father Time at bay for 2025.

This never really felt in doubt, despite the veteran linebacker missing the first two days of scheduled practices. Wagner was on the practice field Friday and will be good to go for Saturday’s divisional-round matchup against the Lions. Wagner didn’t appear to be hampered by his injury in last week’s win over the Buccaneers, so it’s possible this is something minor he’s working through.

That’s two DNPs for the veteran linebacker. Wagner led the Commanders with 132 tackles this year. He also totaled 10 TFLs plus two sacks. Losing him would be a big blow to a Washington defense set to face the NFL’s best offense in Detroit.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the deal includes $6 million in guaranteed money and is worth up to $8.5 million. Dan Quinn served as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator in Wagner’s second and third seasons in the NFL way back in 2013 and 2014. The two are now reunited in Washington as Quinn just signed on to be the Commanders’ head coach this offseason. Wagner picked up a league and career-high 183 tackles in 2023 while also finding 3.5 sacks and 11 TFLs. He earned his ninth Pro Bowl nod in the process. Wagner’s knowledge of Quinn’s system should make the move to Washington seamless as he enters his 13th NFL season.

Wagner tallied a career-high 183 tackles in his one-year return to the Seahawks. Wagner spent the first 10 years of his career with the Seahawks before signing with the Rams ahead of the 2022 season. He was granted his release after the Rams finished 5-12 that season and wound up back in Seattle, where he helped lead a defense that allowed the eighth-most points per game. As we’ve come to expect from Wagner, the 12-year pro was named as a Pro Bowler for his efforts in 2023 and also received Second-Team All-Pro recognition. Wagner has been named as a first or second-team All-Pro in each of his last 10 years and will look to add to his hall of fame resumé in what will be his age-34 season. Likely chasing one more ring before he hangs it up; it wouldn’t be surprising to see Wagner join a perennial contender this offseason.

The Seahawks’ linebacking corps has been dealing with injuries as LB Uchenna Nwosu (pectoral) was confirmed to likely be out for the season and LB Jordyn Brooks (calf) was limited in practice. Wagner now misses practice to begin the week while the Seahawks deal with a lengthy Wednesday injury report.

Wagner played the first 10 seasons of his career in Seattle before departing for the Rams prior to the 2022 season. The Rams released the veteran linebacker as a cap casualty after one season, freeing up $5 million in cap space and opening the door for a return to the Seahawks on the one-year deal. Wagner appeared in 151 games for Seattle from 2012 to 2021, 150 of which were starts. Even at the ripe age of 32, Wagner performed to the top-rated linebacker grade from Pro Football Focus in 2022 and should immediately reclaim a starting inside linebacker spot for the Seahawks in his age 33 season.

Middle linebacker remains one of the Seahawks’ biggest needs. While a reunion with Wagner would certainly fix that problem, there’s no guarantee the two sides come to terms on a new deal. After one season with the Rams, Wagner is now back on the market and has reportedly seen interest from both the Chargers and Cowboys. Wagner played at an extremely high level in 2022, totaling 140 tackles, six sacks, and two interceptions while being named Second-team All-Pro. Despite entering his age-33 season, he should have plenty of good football left in him.

Wagner was released by the Rams after just one year, though he wasn’t cut because his quality dipped. The veteran linebacker totaled six sacks and two interceptions in 2022. Pro Football Focus ranked him as their top overall linebacker. Schultz also named the Seahawks as a potential landing spot. Wagner joined the Rams on a five-year, $50 million deal last offseason. Though he won’t get quite as big of a contract this time around, he will still be one of the most coveted free agents in the upcoming class.