‘An extremely difficult day’: Seahawks officially release All-Pro captain Bobby Wagner
“One of the greatest Seahawks of all time” is no longer a Seahawk.
The team officially released six-time All-Pro linebacker and team co-captain Bobby Wagner Wednesday, a day after he told The News Tribune of Seattle’s decision — and the same day Seattle traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.
“Thank you Seattle for everything. It will forever be my home,” Wagner posted on his Twitter account online Wednesday.
Wagner now seeks another team with one week before the start of the new league year and the opening of the NFL free-agent market.
A team statement implied the Seahawks were doing Wagner a favor releasing him now “giving him a head start on free agency.”
The Seahawks now seek to rebuild their roster with the spending power they’ve gained by losing their two remaining Super Bowl champions from their only NFL title season of 2013.
The Seahawks are saving $16.6 million against their 2022 salary cap by releasing Wagner. The 31-year-old franchise cornerstone, along with Wilson, was entering the final year of his contract.
Wagner’s salary-cap charge for 2022 was scheduled to be $20.35 million.
That was untenable for the Seahawks, but not for Wagner. He had said late last season he wasn’t looking to give back money.
“This is an extremely difficult day for the organization,” general manager John Schneider said after negotiating with Wagner, who been representing himself without an agent for three years. “Bobby has been at the center of our defense for the past 10 seasons and always represented our organization with class. He is a special player and person, and we are forever grateful.
“Bobby will always be a Seahawk.”
The team saved $27.6 million against this year’s cap by releasing Wagner and trading Wilson. Seattle has a $26 million dead cap charge on Wilson for this year.
Wilson and Wagner, captains and franchise cornerstones — the team’s nominees for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2020 and ‘19, respectively — leave Seattle the way they entered town to begin the longest run of success in team history.
Together.
“Bobby is one of the great Seahawks of all time,” coach Pete Carroll said. “His leadership in the community, locker room, and on the field is a tribute to his character and consistency.
“Bobby set an incredible example for all to follow, and we will continue to follow him all the way to the Hall of Fame.”
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This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 7:01 PM.
