In a stunning move, the Los Angeles Rams and nine-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner have agreed to part ways, according to an ESPN report Thursday.
The report noted the Rams need cap space, and Wagner reportedly “wants to win.”
It’s been less than a year since the then-defending Super Bowl champion Rams brought Wagner aboard with a five-year, $50 million deal. But the Rams took an enormous step back last season, finishing 5-12. Now they face what general manager Les Snead told reporters in January is not a rebuilding effort, but a “remodel.”
“We would almost have to tear it down for it to be a rebuild because we do have a lot of really good players in their prime on this roster,” Snead said (via TurfShowTimes). “So a lot of times it’s tough to say rebuilding with that type of roster, so you’d have to go through some type of tear down to truly rebuild, so that’s why I use the word remodel.”
Given that mindset, it’s hard to justify keeping a 32-year-old linebacker making that kind of salary around, even if he is still playing as well as any linebacker in the league. And if Wagner wants to win now, Los Angeles might not be the place to be.
Many NFL fans responded to the news with a single word on Twitter, a team name of where they want Bobby Wagner to go or think he should go. Surprisingly, some of those fans thought a return to the Seattle Seahawks, where Wagner spent his first 10 seasons, is in order.
How about that up and coming team in the Pacific Northwest that made the playoffs last year 🤔
— Josh Duncan (@josh10duncan) February 23, 2023
Come home bobby… pic.twitter.com/GH8wqUVCsc
— pierce (@cloutyagami) February 23, 2023
Bobby Wagner was All Pro for the Rams but now that he’s going, this remains his finest tackle of the season.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) February 23, 2023
First ballot Hall of Famer 🙌
— Morning Blitz (@Morning_Blitz) February 23, 2023
Bobby Wagner was set to be a $12.75MM cap hit this upcoming season, which would’ve been 8th highest on the current roster. Could’ve lived with it but not conducive to the way MLB $$ is currently viewed throughout the league.
They saved $5.25M in this move. Better be worth it.
— Rams Brothers (@RamsBrothers) February 23, 2023
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.