New Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn only spent two seasons with linebacker Bobby Wagner in Seattle. But those two seasons were in Wagner’s formative years (2013-14), and the future Hall of Fame linebacker left quite the impression on his former defensive coordinator.
Quinn left to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, while Wagner remained with Seattle for the next eight seasons. In 2022, the Seahawks released Wagner after 10 seasons. He suddenly became a sought-after free agent, despite his age and rarely ever leaving the field.
At this time, Quinn was the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys and he wanted Wagner. However, Wagner signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he was terrific again, making the Pro Bowl and was named a second-team All-Pro. Unfortunately, after the 2022 season, the Rams decided to shed salaries after a Super Bowl run and released Wagner.
Quinn tried to get the Cowboys to sign him again. He chose a return to Seattle.
Earlier this month, in free agency, Quinn finally got his man when Wagner signed a one-year deal with the Commanders. Wagner, who will turn 34 in June, remains one of the NFL’s best inside linebackers and leaders.
Wagner discussed his reasons for signing with Washington, which included Quinn.
“I think DQ (Dan Quinn) does an amazing job of just putting all the players in right positions, and you know, getting the best out of everybody,” Wagner said. “N’s (LB coach Ken Norton) one of my favorite coaches of all time, so that was enough for me.”
This week, Quinn was a guest on Moving the Chains on SiriusXM NFL Radio and discussed the Commanders signing Wagner.
“He’s all that I love about football,” Quinn said. “Like, he’s a tackler; he’s aggressive; he’s tough; he’s smart; he takes care of himself. And, so, what I’m hopeful to see — and I’m certain it’ll happen — he’s a multiplier. Wags is. Because this is how the standard is, this is how I operate, this is a process to go through. If you were a young linebacker being around somebody, this is the exact type of linebacker you’d want to be around. A defensive ballplayer in that instance. Seeing that standard of how we operate. I thought that was really important, and so that’s why I’m so lit up about getting him here.”
Quinn said he’s coached against Wagner a lot and how the offense would always need to game plan around Wagner.
“He’s all that I love about football."@Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn discussed signing LB Bobby Wagner.
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— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) March 29, 2024
The Commanders have struggled to find consistent linebacker play for years. The previous regime ignored the position, but Quinn and general manager Adam Peters quickly changed that, signing Wagner and former Panthers LB Frankie Luvu. Wagner may not be the same player he was five years ago, but he remains one of the best. His presence in 2024 will be as impactful for Washington in the offseason and on the practice field as it will be on the field in the fall.
