Rams Releasing Bobby Wagner
The Los Angeles Rams are releasing former All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner after just one season with the team, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
According to Schefter, Thursday’s split was on mutual terms.
The Rams are currently $14 million over the cap, per OverTheCap. They needed to clear up some space, and releasing Wagner was a good way to do it.
Wagner, 32, signed a 4-year/$50 million deal with the Rams last offseason. The Rams are probably regretting giving him as much guaranteed money as they did, a whopping $20 million for an aging middle linebacker.
Wagner was born in LA, so it was a nice reunion season for the veteran middle linebacker. The Rams got crushed with injuries last season, but Wagner remained healthy throughout the season, playing and starting in all of the Rams’ 17 games.
Bobby Wagner is a legendary middle linebacker and a sure-fire Hall of Famer. He went to eight pro bowls, all within his 10 years as a Seattle Seahawk. He is most known for leading the Hawks’ 2014 “Legion of Boom” defense, one that would win Super Bowl XLVIII in dominant fashion.
At this stage of Wagner’s career, you know basically, all he wants to do is win, assuming he still wants to keep playing.
As it turns out, Wagner was actually really effective with the Rams last season, despite his age. PFF had him ranked as the top middle linebacker in the league- even ahead of 49ers’ Fred Warner- last season.
There are several teams that could still use a guy like Bobby Wagner in their linebacker core. The Giants, Steelers, and Cowboys immediately come to mind.
Wagner will join an intriguing middle linebacker free-agent class. Lavontae David, Devin Bush, and Tremaine Edmunds headline the pack.
Whoever ends up with Bobby Wagner will be getting a Hall of Famer, but one that is entering his age-33 season. The legendary linebacker could still demand a ton of money if he plays his cards right.
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