Bobby Wagner May Be First Big Seattle Seahawks Loss

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) celebrates after making an interception against the New England Patriots in the third quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Part of being one of the most talented teams in the salary cap era of the NFL is that sooner or later some of that talent is going to start moving on to other places in search of more money. It’s inevitable that not all of them are going to take discounts. Already the Seattle Seahawks are learning that. With Russell Wilson getting his $87.6 million extension, other players have begun to voice their desires for more money.

All-Pro safety Kam Chancellor has held out of practice. Defensive end Martellus Bennett made it clear on a number of occasions that he feels he’s outplayed his current deal. None of this even includes what will happen with linebacker Bobby Wagner, easily the most overlooked contributor on that outstanding Legion of Boom defense.

He knows this well, and didn’t back off his belief that he has no reason to accept a low ball contract offer if the Seahawks go that route, which they may almost have to.

"“If it happens it happens. But all I know is at the end of the season y’all will know that I’m the best linebacker in this league. That’s my focus, everything else will take care of itself.”"

There is no doubt Wagner wants his new deal sooner than later. Even though he’s missed seven games over the past two seasons, but that hasn’t seemed to dampen his production with 172 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions. Last year marked his first Pro Bowl season and he’s only 25-years old. The market for him would be huge if he reached NFL free agency, and he knows that.

Seahawks GM John Schneider has a massive chore ahead of him. The longer he waits, the higher the price is likely to go up barring another injury. If he’s not careful, Seattle may end up losing one of the first real cornerstones of that defense.

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