Seahawks extension of Bobby Wagner not long enough
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks announced on Friday that they agreed to a contract extension with Bobby Wagner. But the extension isn’t long enough.
I am not going to mix words here. The Seahawks working out a contract extension with Bobby Wagner for three years and $54 million was a move that had to be made. Wagner is the best linebacker in football and has been for many years. Without Wagner on the field, Seattle probably loses two more games a season.
By the end of the extension Wagner will be just 32 years old. He likely won’t be the same player he is now because age catches up with all of us and Wagner’s body takes a pounding. But he will still be very good. Probably good enough to play for two to three years after the extension is done, if Wagner wants to.
The Seahawks should have made sure that Wagner is in Seattle for the life of his career. I know that paying Wagner $18 million when he is 34 or 35 might be paying him too much. That is assuming that Wagner agreed to a contract for five years at $18 million per which is what his extension averages out to.
But the salary cap will be higher in five years so maybe the $18 million won’t seem so high then. If Wagner continues to play at his Hall of Fame level for the next four years, Seattle is going to have to pay him even more than $18 million to extend him again. Probably. Maybe Wagner just decides to retire or Seattle wants to get younger.
Excited to continue my career with the best organization! It was a great process I learned a lot.. and I challenge everyone to dream big and believe in yourself! God is Great! I’m blessed.. Time to get back to work… https://t.co/x0jXtel7Wy
— Bobby Wagner (@Bwagz) July 27, 2019
There will be a lot of changes for the Seahawks in four years. The team probably made a wise move by extending Wagner for just three years. Or did it? Wagner, who had no agent and worked out his own deal, won’t have to pay an agent’s fee so the $18 million he will make will be all his. He is smart for doing that. Seattle is smart for extending him but should have made it longer. Make Wagner a Seahawk for life.
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But in four years, Pete Carroll will likely not be the coach. He would be 71 years old. Russell Wilson might be starting to show some cracks from all the wear and tear of playing every game. Wagner, though, will still be the pillar of the defense. Seattle should have extended him longer, but I am glad Wagner will be a Seahawk for at least four more seasons.