One of the NFL’s Most Decorated Linebackers Hits Free Agency

Josh Frey |

Feb 24, 2023

One of the NFL's Most Decorated Linebackers Hits Free Agency

Dec 25, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner (45) before playing against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL world shook when one of the NFL’s most decorated linebackers was released by his team on Thursday evening. That player is six-time First-Team All-Pro member, Bobby Wagner, who spent the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams after playing with the Seattle Seahawks for the first 10 seasons of his NFL career.

Rams and nine-time All-Pro LB Bobby Wagner mutually agreed Thursday to part ways, sources tells ESPN.

Rams needs more cap space and Wagner wants to win. He will now be a notable part of this year’s free-agent class. pic.twitter.com/1A3KvudOhj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 23, 2023

Wagner is about as premier a linebacker as you’ll find in the NFL. The 32-year-old is a six-time All-Pro player, an eight-time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl champion, and rarely misses a game, playing 168 (including 166 starts) of a possible 178 regular season games over the course of his career.

Dec 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner (45 celebrates after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the Raiders 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Given the Vikings need for, at the very least, more depth at the off-ball linebacker spot, and a desire to reach the “championship standard” that both Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell talked about throughout their postseason press conference, Wagner could be a target for Minnesota in free agency.

Granted, Wagner will be 33 years old by the time the 2023 season begins, but he continues to play at a high level. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2022, and the veteran put together another banner year of 140 tackles, 10 TFLs, 6.0 sacks, 5 PDs, and 2 INTs over the course of the season. Of course, it went a bit “under the radar” because the Rams did not benefit from anywhere near the same team success that they had in 2021 when they won the Super Bowl.

Oct 25, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) before a fourth quarter field goal attempt by the New Orleans Saints at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

If the Vikings were to bring in Wagner, it would hopefully be on a short-term deal (1-2 years at the most), to that they wouldn’t need to mortgage their future in order to bring him in. Especially considering 2024 could be a transition year for the team in a number of ways, this would make sense.

None of the Vikings main starters on either side of the ball during 2022 had ever played in a Super Bowl during their careers. Wagner started in two of them for the Seattle Seahawks in back-to-back years during 2013 and 2014.

Oct 25, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) walks to the locker room following a 13-10 loss against the New Orleans Saints at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

That type of presence is one the Vikings could very much use in their pursuit of their own Lombardi trophy. Bottom line, if the Vikings can go get Wagner on a deal that won’t shatter the bank, they should offer him a contract.

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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.