Seahawks releasing Bobby Wagner: Chargers, Patriots among 11 potential landing spots for perennial All-Pro LB

The Seahawks are cleaning house ahead of the official start of the 2022 offseason. On Tuesday, Seattle reportedly agreed to trade franchise quarterback Russell Wilson to the Broncos and then informed longtime linebacker Bobby Wagner that he will be released. Wilson’s departure marks a monumental transition for the franchise, but Wagner leaving is nothing to shrug at, either. Fresh off his eighth straight All-Pro nod, the defensive centerpiece logged a career-high 170 tackles at age 31 in 2021. And while his loss saves Seattle $16.6 million this year, it opens the door for another team to pounce on his production and leadership.

Which teams figure to come calling first? Here are 11 potential landing spots for Wagner:

11. Browns

When healthy, the Browns boast one of the NFL‘s most promising rosters. But they could still use an upgrade at MLB, where Anthony Walker Jr. manned the job in 2021. They’ve got plenty of cap space ($17.9M) to boost their playoff-caliber roster.

10. Steelers

They’ve got other, bigger holes to fill first, but they’ve been trying to shore up the middle of an otherwise stingy defense for a while. With almost $30M in cap space, they can afford to take a bigger swing on a ready-made starter and locker-room leader. If, somehow, they can also figure things out at QB, they promise to give Wagner another shot at a playoff run.

9. Dolphins

Besides being flush in cap space ($51.3M) and offering sunnier skies, Miami could sorely use an upgrade at ILB, and new coach Mike McDaniel knows the value of a playmaking centerpiece from his days with the 49ers. Assistant Darrell Bevell served on the Seahawks’ staff for the first six years of Wagner’s career in Seattle.

8. Cowboys

Micah Parsons already headlines their LB corps, but he’s best suited as a playmaking chess piece rather than a middle-of-the-field general. Dallas has other issues to address, but getting Parsons better running mates is on its list. Best of all, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was Wagner’s DC in Seattle from 2013-2014, when the Seahawks went to back-to-back Super Bowls.

7. Titans

They just extended pass rusher Harold Landry, but their feisty defense could use help in the middle, where ex-Texans starter Zach Cunningham figures to be a salary cap casualty since he’s due over $10M in 2022.

6. Panthers

Carolina has struggled to find a leader for the heart of its defense since Luke Kuechly’s retirement after 2019, and while other issues — QB, offensive line, etc. — are more pressing, they have financial flexibility. General manager Scott Fitterer was also the Seahawks’ director of college scouting when Seattle drafted Wagner back in 2012.

5. Jets

Wagner probably isn’t eager to jump from a longtime contender to a still-rebuilding team, but New York has tons of cap space ($48.8M), a need at the position and a couple prominent staff connections, with coach Robert Saleh and assistant Marquand Manuel both previously serving as Seahawks assistants early in Wagner’s career.

4. Ravens

Baltimore could use just as much, if not more, help along the interior defensive line and off the edge, but Wagner would give them a proven Pro Bowl-caliber presence alongside Patrick Queen in the middle. In the midst of a change at defensive coordinator, the Ravens might pay extra for a leader of Wagner’s caliber, especially in win-now mode.

3. Patriots

New England’s top two ILBs, Dont’a Hightower and Ja’Whaun Bentley, are both set to hit free agency, so it’ll be on the lookout for plug-and-play starters. Bill Belichick, meanwhile, has never been one to shy away from big-name gambles, and he proved in 2021 that he’s willing to spend big to shore up the defense.

2. Broncos

Have you heard about Denver’s new QB? Russell Wilson has long been both a friend and teammate to Wagner, and the Broncos’ splashy trade for the Seahawks star indicates they’re all in on winning now. They could also still use immediate LB help.

1. Chargers

They have more cap space ($56.3M) than anyone in the NFL. Wagner is from Los Angeles. The team is ready to contend and could use linebacker reinforcements for Brandon Staley’s defense. As a bonus, secondary coach Tom Donatell spent four years on the Seahawks’ defensive staff during Wagner’s run with Seattle.