Seahawks Absolutely Need to Pay Bobby Wagner After Trading Frank Clark
By Sean Facey
The Seattle Seahawks' defense isn't nearly as stacked as it used to be. Kam Chancellor officially retired, Earl Thomas is gone, and to top it all off, they traded Frank Clark.
With Clark in particular out of the picture, the Seahawks absolutely need to pay linebacker Bobby Wagner if they hope to maintain some semblance of a sound defensive scheme.
#Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner isn’t practicing at OTAs, but is present. He tells reporters that he wants his next contract to top what CJ Mosley got in free agency ($17M per year).
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) May 21, 2019
Wagner, who's demanding around the same amount of pay that CJ Mosley garnered in free agency, is well worth the money.
One of the last remaining members of the "Legion of Boom," Wagner has led the team in approximate value twice in the last three seasons. He's also a tackles machine, racking up triple-digit tackles in all seven of his NFL seasons.
The five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro is the undisputed leader of their defense, and losing him would be tantamount to losing quarterback Russell Wilson on offense.
Bobby Wagner made clear reason he’s not practicing at #Seahawks OTAs is the contract situation. He is AOK health-wise. @thenewstribune #voluntary pic.twitter.com/vuOiR9rtgj
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) May 21, 2019
Wagner is entering the final year of a four-year, $43 million contract.
If the Seahawks don't step up and pay the man now, there are plenty of suitors ready and waiting to offer him big bucks come the end of the season.
Time to pay the MVP of the LOB.