Why did Bobby Wagner leave the Seahawks? The Seahawks had other significant losses besides Russell Wilson’s departure from Seattle. The organization has also let go of Bobby Wagner, who served as the defensive coordinator for a long time.
Since the Seahawks chose Wagner, 32, in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he has established himself as a top linebacker in the league. He has never had a season with fewer than 104 tackles, and while playing with Seattle, he was named to six first-team All-Pro teams.
Wagner made 170 tackles, which was a career-best. He made his seventh straight Pro Bowl and was chosen to the second team of the All-Pros. The Seahawks are trading him despite his excellent performance. So, why did Bobby Wagner leave the Seahawks? Let’s find out, but not before we shed some light on Wagner’s career history.
Who Is Bobby Wagner?
The Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League’s Bobby Joseph Wagner (born June 27, 1990) plays inside linebacker for America (NFL). Wagner, who spent ten seasons with the Seahawks building a Hall of Fame career, is now a member of the Rams, a team that competes against the Seahawks in the NFC West.
From Utah State, Seattle selected the 32-year-old Wagner in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and he later rose to become one of the most illustrious players in team history. Six first-team All-Pro accolades, eight Pro Bowl selections, and a Super Bowl victory with the Seahawks all contributed to Wagner’s impressive resume.
Additionally, he was selected to the 2010s All-Decade Team of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In each of his ten seasons with Seattle, he made 100 or more total tackles. He concluded his career with 1,383 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, six forced fumbles, and four touchdowns.
Over the previous six seasons, Wagner has only missed two games, and even in his final season with the Seahawks, he was quite productive, recording a career-high 170 tackles. After failing to make the playoffs the previous year, the Seahawks went to great measures to cut costs this summer, releasing Wagner as the face of their defense and dealing quarterback Russell Wilson, who was the focal point of their offense.
Wagner’s release by Seattle allowed the team to start its rebuild, or at least the retooling phase, with a $16.6 million cap savings. It didn’t take Wagner long to find a club, as he signed a five-year, $50 million contract with the Rams, making him a significant addition to a Los Angeles squad that had just won the Super Bowl the previous year.
Wagner still feels a connection to Seattle even if he is now playing for the opposition and is back in his birthplace of Los Angeles. In addition to participating in a King County Boys & Girls Club event this week before departing for Rams training camp, Wagner intends to keep a house in Seattle.
Why Did Bobby Wagner Leave The Seahawks?
By releasing Bobby Wagner, the Seahawks freed up a significant amount of salary cap room. In addition, they lost the greatest linebacker of all time and handled a franchise legend horribly when he left the team.
Wagner, who is currently a member of the Rams, who compete in the same division, said he didn’t want to leave Seattle but is glad to be back in Los Angeles. Bobby Wagner was more clear about his plans to stay a Seahawk than Russell Wilson was.
Bobby Wagner expressed his passion and desire to continue playing for this organization throughout the 2021 regular season, especially in the second half when it became clear the Seahawks would miss the postseason for just the second time in the previous ten years.
A knee injury sustained in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions prevented Wagner from finishing the season, which was unfortunate. He learned of his release via social media, which only made matters worse.
The Seattle Times just published an article on Wagner’s current viewpoint as he prepares to play for the Los Angeles Rams in the 2022 season. He also believes that if he had ended up somewhere else, his viewpoint on the matter would have changed. The idea of leaving Seattle repulsed him.
Nevertheless, if he had to leave Seattle, returning to his house would have been the greatest option for him. Being at home makes him seem at ease with the situation. It should be thrilling for fans, to be perfectly honest.
A new start over the period of what may turn out to be a very long season. There won’t be any more drama or stories that generate disturbances. Even if there won’t be a Super Bowl this year, there is still time to lay the groundwork for a winning squad.
Why Didn’t The Seahawks Trade Bobby Wagner Instead?
The only enigma surrounding the team’s rumored Wagner release is why it failed to acquire an asset in exchange for him. His cap hit and age, which may be the true reason why did Bobby Wagner leave the Seahawks, are the problem with dealing with him, though.
Few NFL clubs can afford a linebacker who has a cap hit of $20 million and is 32 years old. He may have been signed to an extension by the side with interest, which could have reduced his cap number, but sadly, no such agreement materialized.