A source told Adam Schefter that the team informed Bobby Wagner that he was being released.
The news came hours after the report that Russell Wilson would be going to the Broncos. The two cornerstones who were drafted on the same day in 2012 are no longer in Seattle.
The release of the long-time defensive captain and another player who was one of the most important in the history of the franchise is a move the team is making.
The move will save the Seahawks $16.6 million in cash and salary cap space, while leaving a massive hole in the middle of their defense. It comes as no surprise given the age and contract of the player, as well as the comments made by the coach and general manager at the scouting combine.
As the Seahawks were winding down a disappointing season that resulted in several changes to the coaching staff, Wagner wondered aloud about his future. KenNorton Jr., the former position coach and one of the strongest supporters in the organization, was fired.
It is not clear if a return to Seattle on a less expensive deal is possible.
The last remaining member of the star- studded defense that led Seattle to its lone world championship in Super Bowl XLVIII and a return trip to Super Bowl XLIX was selected with Wilson on the second day of the 2012 draft.
He will be a free agent for the first time in his career. When he negotiated his three-year, $54 million extension in the summer of 2019, he continued to serve as his own agent. The megadeal set a record for off-the-ball linebackers at $18 million per season and served as perhaps the best success story of a high-profile NFL player handling his own contract talks.
The contract helped lead to his release.
The final year of the deal with the all-time tackles leader had a base salary of $16.35 million and a $250,000 per-game roster bonuses. Even with the Seahawks in OK cap shape, his $20.35 million cap charge was an unwieldly figure, even with the fact that he earned his eighth Pro Bowl nod in 10 seasons.
Despite missing all but one snap of the last two games with a knee injury, he posted a personal best.
Last week in Indianapolis, Carroll gave conflicting answers about whether or not he would be back in 2022.
We expect to play with Bobby. He had another great season. At this time of the year, there are a lot of guys that need to figure out where they fit together. We would love to be able to play with Bobby, he has been a steady part of it. We will do it if we can do that.
There is $3.75 million in dead money. With the savings, the Seahawks have $50 million in available cap space, which will be used for free agency next week.
The most logical replacement for Wagner would be a third-round pick like Barton. Barton started in Week 18 after he was injured on the opening play of the season when his foot slipped as he tried to plant the turf.
Before his injury, he had not missed a snap. His 170 tackles entering Week 17 were leading the NFL and had broken his own single-season franchise record. The record was broken in Week 18 by teammate JordynBrooks.
In his second year in the league, he recorded five passes defensed, a sack, and an intercept, and was a second-team All-Pro.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame named 22 defenders to the All-Decade Team for the 2010s. His Hall of Fame-worthy resume includes six First Team All-Pro selections, two Second Team All-Pro selections and eight Pro Bowls, which are tied for second most in franchise history.
By the team's count, the 1,381 career tackles made by Wagner are the most by any player in franchise history. He has led the league in tackles since the Seahawks drafted him in the second round.
When asked if he wondered about his future in Seattle, he said yes.
He said to think about what the next year looks like and what the future holds. We didn't plan for the season to go this way, so obviously there will be some changes, but I don't know.
In that same news conference, he made it clear that he was not considering retirement. He said he was hopeful about remaining with the Seahawks.
I understand there is a business side to this, but there is a lot of optimism on my end that I will be back. I cannot control everything. I only have control over my part. I feel like I love this city. I like this team. I love the team. I always wanted to be a part of a franchise that had good times and bad times. I would love to be a part of this team for a long time.
I'm a Seahawk until they tell me I'm not. That is my mindset. I don't see it as my last game or this next game being my next game.
He was asked what made him think he would be back.
I would like to say that I am a good businessman and that I have a lot of respect for that.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
