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How Twitter Reacted to the Rams Landing Bobby Wagner
We all know how exciting it is for the Rams fans, but how many of us knew how good a signing a former All-Pro tight end can be? Bobby Wagner has signed a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams and will line up next to Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. Twitter is ecstatic to have Bobby Wagner on their roster, and so are the Rams fans.
Rams Landing Bobby Wagner
The Los Angeles Rams have loaded up on star talent in free agency, signing linebacker Bobby Wagner on a five-year deal worth $50 million. He could end up earning close to $65 million if he achieves certain goals. Wagner spent his first 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, where he earned First-Team All-Pro honors six times. He won the Super Bowl in 2013 with the Rams, and he’ll now line up alongside Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Donald, and Jordan Fuller.
When it comes to free agency, one of the most coveted positions is linebacker, and Bobby Wagner is the perfect candidate. But with the salary cap squeeze hitting NFL teams, he could be released by the Seahawks as well. Some believe the Rams shouldn’t have signed him to begin with, because they have Jordyn Brooks, Cody Barton, and an experienced supporting cast. If the Rams had signed Wagner, they wouldn’t have had to worry about Russell Wilson and Belichick signing extension after extension. And if they wanted Bobby Wagner, they could have signed him to a five-year deal with the Patriots or Chargers. Of course, they would have to get Russell Wilson to sign an extension before he could play, but that’s a different story.
Rams Drafted Wagner in 2012
The Seattle Seahawks released All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner during free agency, so the Rams were quick to make an offer. He was initially a no-go for the team, but when Aaron Donald texted him and cornerback Jalen Ramsey pitched a teamwork deal, Wagner jumped at the chance. A native of Ontario, just 50 miles from SoFi Stadium, the Rams will be able to recruit him to return to his hometown. Bringing Wagner back to his home state of Ontario will help them build a super team that will be able to win another championship.
While the Rams didn’t get Bobby Wagner immediately, they have been working on recruiting him this offseason. It’s possible Wagner can fill Dont’a Hightower’s role in the Patriots. The Rams have also been in touch with Trent Brown and Judon, who both have been recruiting LBs. If the Rams are able to land him, they’ll be able to sign him to a five-year, $50 million deal.
Wagner is a future team president
Bobby Wagner is a surprisingly intelligent football player. He didn’t have an agent, so he represents himself and negotiates his own contracts. He’s also an accomplished businessman, and plans to one day be the team president. Despite this impressive resume, Wagner admits that the business side of being an NFL player can be tricky. However, with his determination and drive, he may be able to make the leap to the top.
Despite Wagner’s young age, he has already surpassed Ray Lewis’ franchise tackle record of 170. He’s already set the franchise record for tackles (167 last season) and is on pace to break the 2000 mark. He’s also a future team president – his recent contract with the Rams reflects this. But what’s Wagner’s motivation? Perhaps it’s the fact that he’s an ideal fit for the Ravens’ defense.
Wagner is a Blitzer
If you follow the news on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed that Wolf Blitzer is the new fill-in for Anderson Cooper on Monday Night Football. He’ll be discussing the government shutdown and the efforts of House Republicans to avoid a shutdown. While many of his colleagues are undervalued or unappreciated, Wagner has quietly been one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL.
While the Rams are a traditional nickel-and-dime team, a move to Wagner will give the team more versatility and space to run a variety of packages. Unlike last year, the Rams can blitz and rush off the edge more effectively, opening the door for a variety of offensive plays. In the 2016 preseason, Jones led the NFL in pass-rush pressure with eight sacks and one fumble recovery.
Wagner is a good player but he isn’t getting any younger
There are several reasons to release Wagner. The former Seattle Seahawk is 32 years old and his team desperately needs a younger, faster defensive lineman. His release will not have an effect on the compensatory pick formula. The Ravens have two young, athletic inside linebackers who could potentially fill Wagner’s role. While signing Wagner would help the Ravens, he is unlikely to sign with the team this offseason.
The 49ers have been one of the Rams’ kryptonite teams in recent years. While they’re not the only team with a talented LB, Wagner has long been one of the best defenders on Seattle’s defense. The Rams have struggled to contain the rushing attack of San Francisco, and Wagner has been the main defensive player on Seattle for several seasons.
