Seahawks Vs. Rams: Bobby Wagner Reveals Emotions on Week 1

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner looks back on his one year with the Los Angeles Rams ahead of the season opener against his former team

As Seattle Seahawks legend Bobby Wagner makes his grand return to the Emerald City on Sunday, the choice of opponent couldn't be more fitting.

After the Seahawks released Wagner last year, he ended up signing with his hometown team and Seattle's divisional rival in the Los Angeles Rams. After a decade of success, to see Wagner go to one of the Seahawks' rivals, let alone one that just won the Super Bowl, stung for the Seattle faithful.

Now, though, Wagner is back with the Seahawks and ready to face his now-former team in the Rams on Sunday. Even though he spent just one year with the Rams, his experience with the team remains with him as he opens a new chapter. Ahead of his return to Seattle, Wagner took the time to reflect on his brief but impactful time in L.A.

“Obviously I got to know those guys differently than going against them," Wagner told reporters. "I think too, you get to learn about people when going through hardships. You got to see people when everything wasn’t going right. I think that’s when you figure out who a person is. For me, I think I’ve always kind of circled L.A. Not for any kind of specific competitive reason, just because it’s home.”

The Rams had a miserable season in 2022 as injuries consumed them, but Wagner was still his usual outstanding self. He had 140 total tackles and finished the season with a 90.7 grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest of any linebacker.

As he prepares to face his former team, Wagner now has insight on his opponent that he never had before.

"I think it just makes the game more fun because you know them, and they know you," Wagner said. "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."

Wagner faced the Rams twice every year during his previous stint with the Seahawks, but after spending a year behind enemy lines, Sunday's game against them has a much different feeling to it.