Report: Rams ‘part ways’ with LB Bobby Wagner Thursday
Feb 23, 2023, 3:00 PM
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 08: Bobby Wagner #45 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 08, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Another big name is hitting the NFL free agent market this spring. This time it’s future hall-of-famer Bobby Wagner.
The linebacker mutually agreed to part ways with the Los Angeles Rams Thursday, ending his one-year stint in Southern California. Already stretched thin on the salary cap, both sides decided it was best to move on in 2023, allowing the veteran to sign with an contender in the near future.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report the news Thursday.
Bobby Wagner started all 17 games this past season for the Rams and was PFF’s highest-graded linebacker. Wagner was voted All-Pro for the ninth straight year. https://t.co/cCFydtShx7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 23, 2023
“Bobby Wagner started all 17 games this past season for the Rams and was PFF’s highest-graded linebacker. Wagner was voted All-Pro for the ninth straight year,” Schefter stated via Twitter.
Wagner return to his hometown with the hopes of finding Super Bowl glory with the defending champs. Instead, the season went haywire from the start, losing quarterback Matthew Stafford after nine contests to a spinal cord injury. LA suffered because of it, finishing the year third in the NFC West with a 5-12 record.
Wagner signed a 5-year, $50 million deal with the Rams last offseason, but with only $20 million guaranteed, the Rams decided to cut bait early with their prized defensive player. The 32-year-old is expected to get additional compensation from LA, holding a $3.5 million roster bonus for 2023 on his previous contract.
Bobby Wagner's 5 year, $50M contract contained $10M fully guaranteed at signing, including a $3.5M roster bonus for 2023. The bonus does not contain offset language.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) February 23, 2023
Unless he agrees to waive that bonus, Wagner will get a nice parting gift heading back into free agency.
Bobby Wagner has been one of football’s best linebackers over the past decade, making the All-Pro team for the ninth consecutive season in 2022. He started all 17 games for the Rams, becoming Pro Football Focus’s highest-graded LB for the season (90.7). Over his illustrious career, Wagner has registered a whopping 1523 combined tackles, 29.5 sacks, 13 INTs and 65 passes defended.
Now hitting the market for a second-straight year, a plethora of teams should be looking to add the future hall-of-famer to their roster.
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