Free Agent Linebacker Bobby Wagner Visits with Ravens, Rams

Despite being one of the NFL’s premier middle linebackers since he entered the league in 2012, 31-year-old Bobby Wagner remains unsigned since being cut by the Seattle Seahawks on March 9. Recent reports though suggest that the eight-time pro bowler won’t have to wait much longer. Wagner visited the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams this past week, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

The Ravens have a need at the inside linebacker position opposite Patrick Queen. If the Ravens were to sign Wagner, there’d be high expectations for their linebacker corps that also includes 2021 first round pick Odafe Oweh and 2017 second round pick Tyus Bowser on the outside.

The defending champion Rams have a hole at middle linebacker with Ernest Jones, Travin Howard and Christian Rozeboom currently occupying the middle. More notably, they could use another playmaker as outside linebacker Von Miller left the team to join the Buffalo Bills on a six-year, $120 million contract. 

Due to their aggressive roster-building trade strategy, the Rams don’t have a first or second round pick to add an impact player in the 2022 NFL Draft.

In addition to being an eight-time pro bowler, Wagner is also a six-time All Pro first team selection. His 170 tackles last season were a career-high and third in the NFL. He previously led the league in tackles in 2016 (167) and 2019 (159). His 1,383 tackles since his debut in 2012 are more than 150 tackles more than the second highest player in that span.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were reportedly interested in Wagner when he came on the marker, but are probably not at this time after signing fellow free agent inside linebacker Myles Jack from the Jacksonville Jaguars.