Former Seahawks Linebacker Bobby Wagner Signs With Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are loading up their roster once again, signing former Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, Adam Schefter reports. The Rams and Wagner have agreed to a 5-year, $50 million deal worth up to $65 million.

Wagner spent his first 10 years in the NFL with the Seahawks, where he put together an incredible resume that includes 6 All-Pro team appearances, 8 Pro-Bowls, a spot on the 2010s All-Decade team, and a Super Bowl win in 2014. Wagner became a free agent this offseason after abruptly being released by the Seahawks in the aftermath of the blockbuster trade that sent another longtime Seahawk, quarterback Russell Wilson, to the Broncos. After all he had done for the Seahawks, it seemed as though Wagner and the rest of the NFL assumed he would remain with the team until the end of his career, but it was clear the Seahawks had other plans that not even Wagner was aware of. He took to Twitter after his release to voice his displeasure with their decision:

Crazy part about all this. I played there for 10 years & I didn’t even hear it from them that I wasn’t coming back.
— Bobby Wagner (@Bwagz) March 11, 2022

At 31-years old, it doesn't appear that Wagner is slowing down anytime soon, after finishing 3rd in tackles just last season. As one of the most highly-coveted free agents remaining on the market rumors about his next destination had been swirling since his release, with the Rams, Ravens and Cowboys all listed as potential landing spots for the future hall-of-famer.

Initial reports from Peter King of NBC Sports suggested that despite their interest, the Rams were not inclined to sign Wagner to a one-year, $11 million deal that he was reportedly seeking. With the 5-year deal being worth up to $65 million, it seems apparent that the team was willing to pay more to ensure he would be a Ram for longer than just one season.

With the addition of Wagner, it's become clear that the Rams are following a similar "all in" approach that paid off for them last season. Despite losing linebacker Von Miller to free agency and trading receiver Robert Woods, the defending Super Bowl champs have already re-signed QB Matthew Stafford to a new deal, and snagged Pro-Bowl receiver Allen Robinson at the beginning of free agency. Reports have revealed that they are also working on bringing wide-receiver Odell Beckham Jr. back.

As for Wagner's first change of scenery in his career, it appears there could not have been a better landing spot. Not only does he immediately become apart of a Super Bowl contender, but he also gets to stay in the NFC West, giving him the opportunity to seek some revenge against his former team-turned division rival in the Seahawks.

Got the sense very early on that the #Rams were the team most attractive to @Bwagz. Revenge can be had and games can be won. https://t.co/DWNzAuax37
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 31, 2022