ESPN2 minutes to read
Los Angeles Rams and nine-time linebacker Bobby Wagner mutually agreed Thursday to separate, sources report ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The move would save $1.5 million in salary cap space but result in a payout of $7.5 million. If the Rams hire Wagner as a flanker after June 1, the team’s salary cap savings would jump to $8 million.
The Rams are priced nearly $13.7 million over the cap, according to the roster management system.
Wagner, 32, signed a five-year contract with the Rams this past March after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks. He started all 17 games for the Rams last season and had another great year, finishing with 6 sacks, 140 tackles, and 2 interceptions.
Pro Football Focus named Wagner the NFL’s Most Valuable Player this past season, and he was voted All-Pro for the ninth straight year, earning second-team honors. He has been voted first team All-Pro five times in his career.
He posted over 100 tackles in all 11 seasons, the first 10 of which came with the Seahawks. He is the Seahawks’ leading tackler with 1,383 and has twice led the NFL in category while with Seattle (2016 and 19).
Wagner felt disrespected by the way the Seahawks handled his release last March, expressing his indignation on Twitter and privately to the team. He remained upset even after Seattle coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider blamed the public for their roles in the matter, saying a few weeks later that Wagner deserved better given all he had meant for the Seahawks during his contract in Seattle.
He has 1,523 tackles, 29.5 sacks, 13 interceptions, and 6 forced fumbles in his career.
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