Seahawks Rumors: Bobby Wagner to Report, Will Be 'Cautious' Amid Contract Talks

The Seattle Seahawks are expecting star linebacker Bobby Wagner to report Wednesday for the start of training camp, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

However, Rapoport added the five-time Pro Bowler "may not put himself in harm's way" and will be "cautious" during workouts as he aims to secure a long-term extension.

Wagner is entering the final year of his contract. He'll earn a $10.5 million base salary and another $3.5 million in various bonuses.

He indicated in May he hopes to remain in Seattle but acknowledged the situation could ultimately play out differently.

Wagner is adopting a more diplomatic approach to contract negotiations than former teammate Earl Thomas did a year ago.

Thomas didn't officially report to the team until days before the Seahawks opened the regular season against the Denver Broncos, writing on Instagram, "the disrespect has been well noted and will not be forgotten." He suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 4 and let Seattle know exactly how he felt about the front office and coaching staff.

Thomas signed for four years and $55 million with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.

While Wagner and the Seahawks appear to still have a good working relationship, that's unlikely to let Wagner relent from what will be a steep asking price on his next deal.

The 29-year-old is one of the NFL's best defensive players, attaining first-team All-Pro honors for the third straight season in 2018. He finished with 138 combined tackles, 11 passes defended and one interception.

C.J. Mosley is the highest-paid inside linebacker in terms of average salary, per Spotrac. He'll make $17 million annually after joining the New York Jets. Based on his performance, Wagner could surely surpass that if he wanted to.

The Seahawks opted not to re-sign Thomas and cut Richard Sherman during the 2018 offseason. Clearly general manager John Schneider is willing to put emotion aside when the time comes to make personnel decisions.

Perhaps Wagner is the player who bucks the trend, though Schneider might have to reset the linebacker market in order to keep him in the Pacific Northwest.