Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner has spent the last two seasons with the Washington Commanders. However, with the veteran turning 36 in June, his NFL future appears to be winding down. Still, the possibility of playing in the 2026 season is there.
Wagner closed out last season by becoming just the third player in NFL history to reach 2,000 career tackles, doing so in a season-ending victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Seattle drafted Wagner in 2012 and would go on to play for Seattle until 2021 and then return for a second stint in 2023. During his career with the Seahawks, Wagner had 1,566 total tackles, 27 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries, and 11 interceptions in 168 regular-season games, per StatMuse.
The question now is whether the Commanders or any other team will sign the veteran for next season. Washington head coach Dan Quinn shared the latest on whether they’d bring Wagner back for a third season.
“We would never shut the door on [Wagner],” Quinn said (h/t John Keim of ESPN). “We do feel like there’s some players that are about to take off at [his] position.
“He’s like the most remarkable player and leader. I wanted to make sure I said how important he was to me to come here together, like what standards could look like. And then yes, like what Adam said to him and some others, ‘We’re going to leave the door open, and we’ll see what that looks like over the time ahead.'”
JSN Looks to Follow Bobby Wagner as Seahawks Legend
Wagner was one of the faces for the Seahawks for 10 straight seasons, and now Seattle has invested in Jaxon Smith‑Njigba to follow that same path.
On March 23, ESPN reported, citing sources, that the Seattle Seahawks and Jaxon Smith‑Njigba agreed to a four‑year, $168.6 million extension, making him the highest‑paid wide receiver in NFL history.
The contract reportedly averages $42.15 million per season and includes more than $120 million in guaranteed money, both marks topping previous wide receiver deals. With the new agreement, the two‑time Pro Bowler is under contract in Seattle through the 2031 season.
With the WR1 locked up for the foreseeable future, former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman shared his thoughts on the record-setting contract.
“The Seahawks did a great job getting this deal done early enough that it only looks like $32 million a year if you spread it over the lifetime of the deal, which is an absolute bargain for a receiver that just won Offensive Player of the Year,” Sherman said during the March 26 episode of “The Richard Sherman Podcast.”
“He is only trending up, only going to continue to grow rapport and relationship with Sam Darnold, and continue to thrive. I think this receiving corps is now a well-paid receiving corps.”
Why Seattle Didn’t Hesitate to Pay JSN
Meanwhile, FS1’s Colin Cowherd explained why Seattle didn’t hesitate to commit to their star wideout in the long term.
“So why did [the Seahawks] pay him early, and why did they let four guys go?” Cowherd said on the March 23 edition of “The Herd.” “Well, let’s just concentrate on JSN, because a lot of young players are productive, but teams don’t sign them a year early. Why did they do it with JSN? No drama, no big ego.
“He is what every CEO is seeking; he is what every GM is seeking. He gets along with teammates. Quarterbacks, coaches, coordinators, he never steps in it. So many young athletes get terrible advice. JSN, huge talent, no drama.”
Ex-Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner Gets Major News on NFL Future