Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner Gearing For Homecoming 'Chess Match' vs. Rams
RENTON, Wash. - Last September, prepping for his first game with the Los Angeles Rams, Bobby Wagner had accepted his fate. Following his release from the only team he had ever known, he believed he had played his last snap for the Seattle Seahawks.
After all, Wagner wasn't oblivious to what had happened to former teammates who had been jettisoned by the Seahawks in recent years. Though rumors circulated about cornerback Richard Sherman and linebacker K.J. Wright potentially returning for second stints with the team, neither move came to fruition and both players ultimately retired after finishing their careers wearing different uniforms.
Knowing that track record, Wagner expected his eventual Hall of Fame career to wind down running the same path. Starting a five-year deal signed with the Rams, he would ride into the sunset playing close to where he grew up in southern California.
But fast forwarding a year later, Wagner strolled up to an all-too-familiar podium at the VMAC sporting a Seahawks beanie and sweatshirt days before facing his now former team at Lumen Field, proving "God works in mysterious ways."
“At this moment last year, I didn’t think so at all. I wasn’t even set on it," Wagner told reporters when asked if he thought he'd ever be a Seahawk again. "I thought it was a chapter that closed. I’m watching guys like [Richard] Sherm, K.J. [Wright], Kam [Chancellor], Cliff [Avril]. I think the only person that really got a chance to come back was Bruce [Irvin]. I didn’t feel like it was a possibility."
Fired up to be back in his old surroundings and reunited with coach Pete Carroll as well as long-time teammates such as Quandre Diggs and Jarran Reed, Wagner has traversed a road rarely traveled in the NFL. While it isn't necessarily uncommon for star players to leave their original team and eventually return at the tail end of their career, coming back literally one season after being unceremoniously released as a cap casualty and on the heels of an eighth All-Pro season is unprecedented.
However, that's exactly how the process played out. Though Wagner continued to dominate between the lines as a rare bright spot during an adversity-filled five win season for the Rams with 140 tackles, six sacks, and two interceptions, the organization knew it was time for major changes. With the star linebacker desiring to play for a contender, the two sides ultimately agreed to part ways, allowing him to become a free agent right before the start of the new league year.
At the time of his release, Wagner didn't know what would happen next. But even before his release became official, speculation about a return to the Emerald City quickly gained steam, and the recruiting efforts of Diggs on social media threw gas on the fire. After negotiating on his own behalf with the team, he struck a one-year deal with the Seahawks on March 26, making a homecoming that once seemed impossible a reality.
"It's been great. It felt like he never left, honestly," teammate Jordyn Brooks said prior to Wednesday's practice. "Just having another great player to play next to helps my game and also the guys around me. Just having that voice, somebody of his stature, I love it. Can't wait."
Now back in blue and green, Wagner gets to look forward to rekindling a rivalry with the Rams, a game that he has always circled on the calendar because "it's home" for the Ontario, California native. After spending a season in enemy territory playing for Sean McVay and his staff, their mutual familiarity with one another will only make the rare reunion on tap on Sunday all the more exciting for all parties.
Though teammates such as Brooks and receiver DK Metcalf weren't willing to disclose what intel Wagner has provided them about their opponent, he has been more than happy to share everything he learned being behind enemy lines for game-planning purposes with Sunday's latest installment of a decorated NFC West rivalry looming.
“I think it just makes the game more fun because you know them, and they know you," Wagner smiled. "You got to pick their brain. I was asking them about things that they were doing against us when I was playing here. Who would’ve thought that I would’ve come back here. Now, will they use those things, will they not use those things? Will I switch something up, will I not? It’s all chess, but it should be a fun game.”
Entering his 12th NFL season with 168 regular season games under his belt, the 33-year old Wagner has seen nearly everything on an NFL field. Not one to be rattled, the Seahawks shouldn't have to worry about the stakes on Sunday being too much for him.
Set to run out of the tunnel to cheers from the boisterous Lumen Field crowd once again, however, Wagner ducked into Pete Carroll's office on Wednesday morning to chat with his long-time coach, who apparently was jamming to Prince and Rick James. Reflecting on everything they have been through over the years, they took a few moments to embrace the rare opportunity presented to them to pursue another championship together.
"We kind of just had a moment, all of the stuff that we’ve been through, the good, the bad, the ugly, to be in this position, to be together, starting another season, trying to win a championship, is something that, we had a moment of appreciation," Wagner said.
While Carroll isn't worried at all about how a seasoned veteran like Wagner will handle facing his former team in what could be an emotional return, he wants to make sure circumstances don't negatively impact his play. On a more light-hearted side, he also has to keep himself in check, as evidenced by the fact he wasn't wearing his renowned Nike Monarchs in the meeting and was a "little screwed up too."
"There’s a lot going on with relationships last year and all of that, and just representing us. I think he's going to be great about it, but I'm not overlooking anybody just because he's been around a long time," Carroll remarked. "He's got to be clear-headed and calm about stuff and play the kind of game he's capable of playing. We can all get a little bit excited and hyped up."
Heading into Sunday's much-anticipated opener, while he understands the significance of the moment, Wagner isn't looking to put too much stock into one game. With emotions running high on multiple fronts, plenty of potential distractions will be in place aiming to throw him off his game, but he plans to keep his focus on what Seattle wants to accomplish this season and make the most of his unique opportunity.
Happy and grateful to be back in his legendary No. 54 with the green dot on his helmet and truly back in his element, Wagner hopes to see the Seahawks get off to a fast start against his former team. Excited about the blend of veterans and talented youngsters on the roster around him, winning a bunch of games and competing for a Super Bowl is all that's on his mind at this point.
“Collectively together we have the talent, we have the people, we have the coaching staff, we have an amazing city backing us and I feel like it’s possible. All we have to do is just do it.”
