All-Pro LB Bobby Wagner, Rams agree to part ways

After one season collectively, the Los Angeles Rams and linebacker Bobby Wagner are separating.

With the Rams roughly $13.7 million over the wage cap heading towards the brand new league yr, in keeping with the Roster Administration System, Wagner and the Rams mutually agreed to half methods Thursday, sources advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

When Wagner’s launch turns into official, the Rams will save $5 million in wage cap house, however they can even incur a $7.5 million useless cash cost. The Rams have the choice of designating Wagner a post-June 1 launch, which might save them $8 million, although that financial savings cannot be credited to their cap till this summer season. If Wagner had remained on the roster on the fifth day of the 2023 league yr, his $7.5 million base wage and a $2.5 million roster bonus due in 2024 would have change into assured.

Wagner, 32, joined the Rams after signing a five-year, $50 million cope with $20 million in ensures on March 31, 2022. He earned second-team All-Professional honors after posting 140 tackles, a career-high 6 sacks, 2 interceptions and 5 passes defended whereas beginning all 17 video games. Professional Soccer Focus rated Wagner as the highest linebacker within the NFL final season.

It was the ninth time in his 11 NFL seasons by which Wagner was named an All-Professional (six occasions on the primary crew, three on the second). That got here after 10 years with the Seattle Seahawks, changing into a defensive chief and the crew’s all-time main tackler with 1,383. He has posted greater than 100 tackles in all 11 seasons.

Wagner’s arrival with the Rams closed the loop on one of many crew’s greatest draft regrets. When Wagner entered the 2012 NFL draft, the Rams had hoped to pick him with one in every of their three second-round picks.

As their choose at No. 45 approached, then-Rams linebackers coach Blake Williams texted Wagner and advised him to “be prepared.” As an alternative, the Rams traded down 5 spots so as to add a fifth-round choice. The Seahawks chosen Wagner at No. 47.

Now, Wagner heads again into the free agent market. Though the brand new league yr opens at 4 p.m. ET on March 15, Wagner can be free to signal with any crew he chooses after the Rams formally launch him.