Seahawks Bobby Wagner is even greater than you think
The Seahawks Bobby Wagner has earned his share of accolades, and he’s on pace for even more this season. He’s even greater than you knew.
Bobby Wagner needs no introduction to the 12s. The current middle linebacker is already regarded as one of Seattle’s best ever. As much as we all loved the Legion of Boom, Wagner always was the keystone of the Seahawks defense. With all the changes to Seattle’s defensive backfield, he’s more important than ever this year.
What you may not have realized is just how dominant Wagner has been, and how close he is to several Seahawks career records. Outside linebacker Chad Brown is the current career leader for Seahawks linebackers in solo tackles with 571. That’s for the Seahawks; he had over 800 for his career. Brown was a beast, but Wagner is beastier. Yes, it’s a word now, because I said so.
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Wagner currently has 553 solo tackles, just 19 away from taking the career record. He’s played 97 games for the Seahawks, while Brown played 107. I have a feeling Mr. Wagner will get the record with a very comfortable margin. By the time he’s done, it will probably be someone currently unborn that will break the Seattle record.
Brown also holds another Seattle linebacker’s record, tackles for loss. Brown had 55 in his career. Wagner is sitting on 48 right now, one behind teammate K.J. Wright. Wright is unfortunately injured and won’t take the field against the Panthers. Wagner is almost certain to pass Brown. The only question is if his buddy Wright, who’s played in 110 games, will then pass Wagner.
Wagner may not be a sack artist, but he does get to the quarterback
Wagner is far down the list when it comes to sacks, with just 15.5 in his career. What’s surprising is that when it comes to quarterback hits, he’s already the Seahawks leader for linebackers with 55. You may see Chris Clemons listed as a linebacker by some sources, but he was an end for Seattle. So Wagner is the man already, and will only add to his total.
Now we get to where Wagner really shines. What, you thought second and third in two key career stats in less than 100 games was big? You thought already leading in quarterback hits by more than 20 was good? Number 54 seems to be all over the field in every game. It’s no illusion, as his assists show. Number two in assists for the Seahawks is K.J. Wright, with 259. Not too shabby.
Bobby Wagner has 363 assists, and that’s in 13 fewer games. Granted, assists have only been counted since 1994, so a lot of great players won’t show in the stats. However, we’ll look at a few for whom we do have stats. Ray Lewis, not exactly my favorite person but an amazing football player, had 493 assists in 228 career games for the Ravens. His season high was 49, and he averaged just under 35 per season.
Another notable beast was Brian Uhrlacher. The Bears great totaled 314 assists in 182 games. His season high was also 49 (weird), and he averaged close to 28 assists per season. Dolphins great Zach Thomas was an assist machine. He had 627 in 184 games, with a season high of 68. Thomas averaged more than 54 assists per 16 games.
Wagner’s season best was 82 assists in 2016. He’s averaging a bit under 60 assists per season. He’s all over the field game after game, making more plays than some of the league’s all-time greats. Wagner is up there with them. He’ll end up the Seahawks career leader in most defensive categories, and is well on his way to a Hall of Fame career.