Rams Release Bobby Wagner; Cowboys Interested in All-Pro LB?
The Los Angeles Rams have released veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner, and that news should prick the ears of the Dallas Cowboys.
That didn't pan out - CowboysSI.com reported later that Dallas' offer, such as it was, was "low-ball'' stuff - but could that move become a reality now?
Said to be a casualty of the Rams' salary-cap squeeze, Wagner is now suddenly available, and the Cowboys have some key decisions to make at the linebacker position.
Leighton Vander Esch, Luke Gifford, and Anthony Barr are all free agents, and it is unlikely that all three will return. That leaves a potential spot open for Wagner to arrive.
But...
Will Jerry want to go "all-in" for him?
CowboysSI.com has mentioned the potential philosophical change that could be happening inside The Star as the Cowboys look to catch the Philadelphia Eagles, who are loaded up with talent, so here comes the first test to see if the front office is serious.
Quinn's defense last year was one of the best in the NFL. Now add Wagner to that. It would signal to the league that Dallas is serious about being a Super Bowl contender.
However...
Wagner, 33, is just one year into his five-year, $50 million deal with the Rams, but the good thing for Dallas is the veteran was released, meaning a new contract can be agreed upon, hopefully for the Cowboys' sake, on lesser money.
He was set to make $7.5 million in salary this upcoming season per spotrac.com and his yearly salary over the duration of his deal doesn't exceed $8.5 million. Could Dallas stomach that?
Considering what the going rate is for linebackers right now that sees Fred Warner, Shaquille Leonard, and Roquan Smith all make $19 million or above per year in salary, maybe it's affordable
Vander Esch and Wagner as the defense's linebackers looks good on paper, but there are many moving parts to get this potential deal done. Dallas may have the inside track, but it may take a back seat with a host of player contracts due to be sorted.
But one thing is for sure, Quinn and the Dallas front office need to examine the availability of Bobby Wagner.
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