The NFL world was shocked on Tuesday when the Seattle Seahawks released linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Wagner has remained exceptional for Seattle, going to the Pro-Bowl in every season since 2013, including last season.
This has led to speculation around the NFL about which potential landing spots Wagner could end up at in 2022, and reports out on Friday say that one team has already reached out to the 31-year-old linebacker.
ESPN’s Ed Werder reported that the Dallas Cowboys have contacted Wagner and expressed interest in bringing him in for next season.
Source: #Cowboys have contacted free-agent linebacker Bobby Wagner and expressed their interest in having him play for DC Dan Quinn, who coached him in Seattle. Whether the financial components work out is yet to be determined. The two will keep in contact next few days.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 11, 2022
This move would be a reunion between Wagner and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who Wagner played under in Seattle when Quinn was their defensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014.
Nothing is official yet and both sides will be in contact over the next few days, but these reports have gotten Cowboys fans extremely excited for what their defense could look like with Wagner next season.
It's no secret Jerry loves Wagner. Been on the Cowboys radar for a few years. With LVE likely gone this would be a seamless fit with Dan Quinn.#Cowboys https://t.co/VJOBWaFr1P
— 3-Man Rush Podcast (@3ManRushPodcast) March 11, 2022
For the right price, this would be a 10/10 move. Take some pressure of Parsons, let him learn from one of the best linebackers in the last 20 years, and the dude still has some left in the tank no question. Would love this https://t.co/jpRaNgmZwa
— Mark 🏈 (@HeaneyNFLDraft) March 11, 2022
Wagner & Parsons in the middle would be interesting #Seahawks #Cowboys https://t.co/HcNhvi204n
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) March 11, 2022
However, many are pointing out that Wagner would likely need to take a smaller salary than what he could get on the open market considering Dallas’s salary cap constraints this offseason.
Don't know if the #Cowboys can make the money work but reuniting with Quinn makes the most sense for Wagner. https://t.co/EsW91ApgrP
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 11, 2022
Hopefully Bobby is willing to play for free because Stephen Jones will not open that checkbook https://t.co/NLY3dQO6Tl
— Femi Abebefe (@FemiAbebefe) March 11, 2022
https://twitter.com/SamSinclair96/status/1502381176690032643
It would certainly be interesting to see the Cowboys’ defense if they were able to add Wagner next season, but the team has some real salary issues to work out this offseason.
The Cowboys are currently 26th in the NFL in usable salary for this offseason. However, it was reported earlier this month that the team is likely releasing wide receiver Amari Cooper to clear up some salary, which may help in their efforts to bring in Wagner.
This is the first NFL team that has outwardly expressed interest in Wagner, but considering how good he has been over the years, it will likely not be the last.
