Bobby Wagner’s return to Seattle a major coup for Seahawks

The 11-year veteran proved a year ago that he still has plenty of good football left in him. Linebacker Bobby Wagner is back with the Seahawks.

“Maaaan! Glad to be back in Seattle! It means a lot to be able to come back! Let’s get to work.”

Those are the words of former Seahawks/turned Rams/turned Seahawks’ linebacker Bobby Wagner via his Instagram account. After a season with their NFC West rivals from Los Angeles, the highly-productive defender has returned to the Pacific Northwest.

You will recall that Wagner was surprisingly cut loose by Seattle last offseason. He wound up inking a five-year, $50 million deal (via Spotrac) with the then-defending Super Bowl champions roughly a year ago.

The talented performer rewarded his new employers by leading the team with 140 tackles, to go along with six sacks, two interceptions, and five passes defensed. The disappointing Rams finished in the middle of the NFL pack in total yards per game allowed (19th) and rushing yards per outing (13th) surrendered. Wagner was released this offseason and rejoins the ‘Hawks via a one-year deal.

Wagner will certainly aid a Seattle defense that allowed the third-most yards per game on the ground in 2022. Carroll’s club gave up almost as many points (401) as they scored. His return and the signing of former Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round pick Devin Bush are key additions.

Jordyn Brooks (161) and Cody Barton (133) were the club’s top two tacklers this past season. However, the latter left for the Washington Commanders via free agency. Brooks suffered a torn ACL in a Week 17 win over the Jets and is on the mend.

“He’s doing really well,” said head coach Pete Carroll in late February (via John Boyle of Seahawks.com). “The process is happening, the whole rehab process, but it’s going to be a while. A healthy young kid, he’s going to be able to bounce back as fast as you can come back, and he’s a hard worker and pushes himself and all of that. But you’ve got to just hope for a smooth process along the way so there’s no setbacks.”

So it’s Wagner to the rescue. That’s quite a turnaround for a player that was cut loose by the Seahawks a year ago after 10 seasons. That included finishing with 100-plus tackles each year, to go along with being named All-Pro six times while earning eight Pro Bowl invitations and a Super Bowl XLVIII championship ring. His release during the 2022 offseason was a surprise. In some ways, so is his return to the Pacific Northwest.