Nine-time Pro Bowl linebacker and future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner lasted all of one season with the Los Angeles Rams.
Less than a calendar year after agreeing to a five-year, $50 million contract with the then-defending Super Bowl champions, Wagner and the Rams have mutually agreed to part ways.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the decision was made primarily because Los Angeles needed to create cap space and Wagner wants to finish out his career competing for a title. With the Rams coming off a disastrous 2022 season and in a less-than-stellar cap situation, that likely isn’t in the cards next season in Southern California.
Wagner, 32, played extremely well in his first season with the Rams after spending a decade with the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. The former second-round pick from Utah State recorded 140 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, six sacks and two interceptions. Opposing quarterbacks also posted a mere 87.1 passer rating when targeting him in coverage.
By making this move, Los Angeles saves north of $5 million against the cap. If the team were to designate Bobby Wagner a post-June 1 cut, the savings would be $11.5 million for the 2023 season.
Related: Bobby Wagner and the top NFL free agents of 2023
Potential Bobby Wagner landing spots
- San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco was in on Wagner prior to the six-time All-Pro opting to sign with the Rams last offseason. There’s certainly a need here next to the likes of fellow All-Pro Fred Warner and stud linebacker Dre Greenlaw. With three NFC Championship Game appearances in the past four seasons, San Francisco is also a fit for a player in Wagner who wants to win now.
- Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Barr struggled big time in his first season with the Cowboys, yielding an absurd 83.3% completion when targeted. Injury-plagued linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is also slated to become a free agent. Despite Dallas’ less-than-stellar cap situation, linebacker is a need. Adding Bobby Wagner to the mix would make this team one of the top contenders in the NFC after another premature playoff exit last season.
- Philadelphia Eagles: The defending NFC Champions have both Kyzir White and T.J. Edwards slated to hit free agency in March. It remains to be seen if Philadelphia will be able to re-sign both with the likes of Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox and Miles Sanders also impending free agents. Depending on the cost, Wagner would make sense as a stopgap option for the Eagles. As for the linebacker, this seems to be an ideal landing spot.