After only one season collectively, the Rams and eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker have mutually agreed to half methods, in accordance with ESPN. The Rams must shed wage cap area forward of the brand new league 12 months. Wagner, a Super Bowl champion with the Seahawks in 2013, needs to play for a title contender.
An All-2010s performer with Seattle, Wagner confirmed that he nonetheless has loads of fuel left within the tank throughout his one season in Los Angeles. While his streak of Pro Bowl alternatives was snapped, Wagner nonetheless crammed the stat sheet with 140 tackles, a career-high six sacks and two interceptions.
Wagner additionally supplied welcomed management throughout a rocky 12 months for the Rams, whose 5-12 report was worst report for any defending Super Bowl champion.
A possible future Hall of Fame participant, Wagner, who might be 33 earlier than the beginning of subsequent season, has not missed a sport for the reason that 2018 season and has missed only one sport for the reason that begin of the 2016 season. Ironically, his first of six All-Pro alternatives got here in the course of the season (2014) that noticed him play in a career-low 11 video games.
The NFL’s tackling chief in 2016 and 2019, Wagner will certainly obtain consideration on the open market. With that in thoughts, here is a rating of groups that take advantage of sense for Wagner.
Wagner needs to play for a title contending crew, and the Bengals are coming off consecutive AFC title sport appearances. Cincinnati, led by Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow, is anticipated to contend for a Super Bowl once more in 2023. Wagner would function the proper alternative for Germaine Pratt, who is anticipated to depart in free company.
Money is the largest roadblock between Wagner presumably signing with Cincinnati. The Bengals have cap area, however they count on to make use of most of it on re-signing Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and (down the highway) Tee Higgins. Wagner must take significantly lower than his market worth to ensure that this to occur.
2. Philadelpiha Eagles
Another title contender that would use Wagner in the midst of its protection. The Eagles got here up simply in need of successful their second title in six years after permitting 38 factors to Patrick Mahomes and Co. within the Super Bowl. Wagner’s presence would certainly make an impression on what’s already a strong protection.
Money, nevertheless, is as soon as once more a difficulty on this situation. Unless the Eagles shed important cap area, they probably haven’t got the means to signal a free agent of Wagner’s caliber.
The Giants have cap area and will use Wagner to shore up the center of their protection. A doable query right here is whether or not or not Wagner believes that Big Blue might be a real title contender in 2023. While they superior to the divisional spherical final 12 months, the Giants face uncertainty concerning the futures of quarterback Daniel Jones and Pro Bowl operating again Saquon Barkley. The Giants additionally play in arguably the NFL’s hardest division, which does not assist.
One of the NFL’s largest surprises final 12 months, the Lions received 9 video games largely on the power of their offense. In Detroit, Wagner might strengthen the opposite aspect of the ball whereas serving as a mentor to younger unit that features Aidan Hutchinson, James Houston and Kerby Joseph.
The Steelers might be searching for somebody to interchange former first-round decide Devin Bush, who’s slated to check free company. If they might get him, the Steelers would have probably the greatest beginning linebacker models within the NFL in Wagner, fellow inside linebacker Myles Jack and out of doors linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. This situation largely comes down as to if or not the Steelers would buck from their current development of cut price shopping for in lieu of spending extra money on a prized free agent.
