Last offseason the Los Angeles Rams signed former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner to a five-year, $50 million deal. Fast forward just 11 months later and LA has released him.
According to Adam Schefter at ESPN, they “mutually agreed” to part ways.
Rams and nine-time All-Pro LB Bobby Wagner mutually agreed Thursday to part ways, sources tells ESPN.
Rams needs more cap space and Wagner wants to win. He will now be a notable part of this year’s free-agent class. pic.twitter.com/1A3KvudOhj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 23, 2023
Consider us a little skeptical on that part.
It certainly seems like Wagner may have disagreed with that characterization. In a tweet that he’s since deleted, Wagner shared a three-word response that indicates it was anything but mutual.
Wagner might be referring to something else, but it’s a stretch to think it’s about anything but his (former) contract.
And so, Bobby will become a free agent again and has every reason to expect to cash in. During the 2022 season Wagner posted 140 combined tackles, his 11th straight year of hitting the century mark. In coverage he only allowed two touchdowns and an 87.1 passer rating. At the end of the season Pro Football Focus graded him out as the best off-ball linebacker in the league.
We know a team that could use a good linebacker. This morning we ranked eight potential options for Seattle, with Lavonte David of the Bucs taking the top spot. Needless to say, Wagner would be No. 1 on that list right now.