Bobby Wagner Says He Didn't Find out About Seahawks Release from Team

Free-agent linebacker Bobby Wagner said Friday that the Seattle Seahawks didn't inform him of his release before it happened this week.

Wagner tweeted the following regarding his departure from the only NFL team he has ever played for:

While Wagner put together a Hall of Fame resume during his 10 seasons with the Seahawks, the organization made the decision to part ways with him on the same day it agreed to trade quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.

In cutting Wagner, the Seahawks saved $16.6 million against the salary cap, per Spotrac.

Wagner arrived in Seattle with Wilson as part of the famed 2012 draft class. The Seahawks selected Wagner in the second round, and he went on to establish himself as one of the top defensive players in the NFL over the next decade.

In 10 seasons, Wagner was an eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time first-team All-Pro. He also helped lead Seattle to two Super Bowls, winning one of them.

Wagner had at least 100 tackles in each of his 10 campaigns with the Seahawks, including a career-high 170 last season, proving he is still capable of performing at a high level.

Overall, Wagner appeared in 151 regular-season games for the Seahawks and recorded 1,383 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, six forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries.

He also added 153 tackles, two interceptions and one sack in 16 career playoff games.

After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2017 and only the second time in the past 10 years, the Seahawks made some franchise-altering changes.

Trading Wilson and cutting Wagner could signal Seattle's intent to enter a rebuild, although the Seahawks did get enough in the Wilson trade to potentially retool quickly, as they landed two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and quarterback Drew Lock.

The Seahawks also saved a ton of money by releasing Wagner, which could be used to improve other areas immediately.

Seattle is ready to move into a new era, but the 31-year-old Wagner remains one of the NFL's top linebackers and shouldn't have much issue finding a landing spot where he can thrive and potentially vie for another Super Bowl.