Bobby Wagner Says He 'Never Really Wanted to Leave' Seahawks After Rams Stint

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner spoke about his one-year exit from the team and his eventual return this offseason on 710 ESPN Seattle's Brock and Salk show on Wednesday.

Of note, the nine-time All-Pro player said he "never really wanted to leave in the first place" after his initial 10-year stint with the team (h/t Eric Edholm of NFL.com).

The Seahawks released Wagner in a salary cap-cutting move after the 2021 season. He then signed a five-year, $50 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams.

Wagner earned another All-Pro honor in his lone season in L.A., but the player and team "mutually" decided to part ways. The 5-12 Rams needed some cap relief, and Wagner could be free to play for a team closer to Super Bowl contention.

Wagner soon found his way back to Seattle on a one-year, $5.5 million contract, and he is clearly happy with his decision after arriving back in town.

"It just seemed like the right thing," Wagner said. "Everybody was excited to have me back in the building, but even like walking around, going to the store, things of that nature, you could just feel that there's a lot of love and support here. So I'm grateful that that's what it is. I'm grateful for how the fans have re-embraced me."

Wagner amassed 140 tackles (81 solo), six sacks and two interceptions for the Rams in his 11th NFL season. Now he goes back to a Seahawks team that served as one of the NFL's best surprises last year, going 9-8 and making the playoffs behind Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith.

Bringing back Wagner certainly provides a boost to the defense as Seattle looks to take another step. It also provides Wagner a chance to perhaps author a fitting end in the city he never wanted to leave.

"I thought when I left, that was the end," Wagner said. "You know, if you watched the guys that kind of left before me, there have been some moments when you thought someone was gonna come back, whether it was Richard [Sherman] or K.J. [Wright] or whoever, but it just didn't happen for whatever reason. So I didn't think that this was in the cards, but I'm happy it played out this way."

Wagner's accolades also include eight Pro Bowl honors and a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.