Bobby Wagner explains why he turned down more money to return to Seattle

The defensive standout returns to the Pacific Northwest after a one-year absence. Linebacker Bobby Wagner is back with the Seattle Seahawks.

The posted photo is obvious from the 2022 NFL campaign. This past season, productive linebacker Bobby Wagner was busy leading the Los Angeles Rams in tackles. Sean McVay’s club finished a shocking 5-12 one year after winning Super Bowl LVI.

Perhaps more surprising was that the veteran defender spent this past season with a division rival. Last offseason, the Seattle Seahawks parted ways with the 2012 second-round draft choice. In 10 seasons in the Pacific Northwest, Wagner earned eight Pro Bowl invitations and was named All-Pro six times. He totaled at least 100 tackles in each of his seasons with Pete Carroll’s club.

So in 2022, Wagner inked a five-year deal, $50 million deal with the then-defending Super Bowl champions. He rewarded the Rams with 140 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions, five passes defensed and a blocked field goal. Of course, there’s been a massive housecleaning when it comes to McVay’s team this year and he was cut loose after one year.

Seahawks news: Bobby Wagner explains turning down more money to return

Wagner is back in Seattle courtesy a one-year, $7 million contract. He has his reasons as to why he returned to an organization that he was so productive for over 10 seasons.

The 11-year pro (who earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2022) is one of the numerous defensive additions for coordinator Clint Hurrt’s unit. Another one-time Seahawks’ defender back with the organization in defensive tackle Jarran Reed. He was a second-round pick in 2016 and spent five seasons with the team before leaving for Kansas City (2021) and Green Bay (2022).

Other new faces looking to improve the league’s 26th-ranked defense in ’22 include defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones (Broncos), inside Devin Bush (Steelers) and safety Julian Love (Giants). Carroll’s club surprised many a year ago in reaching the playoffs. One of the catalysts was 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith.

This year, Bobby Wagner is coming back to Seattle. His return could reap even bigger benefits.