After the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Broncos, their next move wasn’t difficult to see coming. That doesn’t make it any easier to swallow, though.
According to a report by Adam Schefter at ESPN, the team has informed long-time middle linebacker Bobby Wagner that he’s being released.
Seahawks informed eight-time All-Pro and Pro-Bowl LB Bobby Wagner, a franchise icon, that they are releasing him, per source.
Wagner arrived in Seattle on the same 2012 day as Russell Wilson and now leaves the same day, too. End of an era in Seattle.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2022
Cutting Wagner is another gut-wrenching blow for a fanbase that has to feel punch-drunk right now. However, it will save them about $16.6 million in salary cap space for the 2022 season according to Over the Cap.
Wagner played 151 regular season career games in Seattle, totaling 1,383 combined tackles. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro and unquestionably the greatest linebacker in franchise history.
Looking ahead, the best candidate to take Wagner’s place is Cody Barton. He performed well at MLB in the final two games of the 2021 season following Wagner’s knee injury. Barton still has one year left on his rookie deal.