Seahawks reach 1-year, $7M deal to bring back Bobby Wagner

SEATTLE — Bobby Wagner is coming back to where he built a Hall of Fame resume.

The Seattle Seahawks announced on Saturday that they are reuniting with arguably the greatest defensive player in franchise history and filling a significant need in their linebacker corps. The move signals that the fences have been mended following his messy departure last offseason.

Wagner's deal is for one year and worth $7 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The news was broken by Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs, who had been publicly stumping for Wagner's return ever since Wagner and the Los Angeles Rams agreed to part ways earlier last month.

General manager John Schneider said before the start of free agency that he and coach Pete Carroll had spoken to Wagner about a potential return. On Thursday, Schneider told Seattle Sports 710-AM that the two sides remained in conversations.

«We've been talking to Bobby, and what I can tell you is we'll see what shakes out, see how this goes,» Schneider said. «Everybody knows how much respect we have for Bobby… He had a great season this last year. We'll continue to speak with him and stay in touch and see how this goes.»

Wagner is the second former Seahawks player to rejoin the team since the start of free agency, joining defensive tackle Jarran Reed. Seattle's moves so far have been largely focused on bolstering a front seven that struggled mightily in 2022 while transitioning to a new 3-4 front without their longtime captain, Wagner.

In addition to Wagner and Reed, the Seahawks signed former Denver Broncos defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones to a three-year, $51.53 million deal. They released defensive linemen Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson and Al Woods.

The Rams' release of Wagner on March