What a Bobby Wagner trade could look like for the Seahawks
By Geoff Shull
Seahawks trade Bobby Wagner to the Raiders
Bobby Wagner is the epitome of what a team looks for in a leader. He is vocal and keeps his troops moving in the same direction. He doesn’t shy away from tough love or teaching moments. He also plays lights out on the field. He is Mr. Consistent.
This is something most teams need on their roster. It is something that will make his value on the trade market very high. Arguably the highest evaluation on the roster outside of Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf, and perhaps Jamal Adams.
Teams will be salivating to get the defensive stalwart and leader on their roster. I would expect the following teams to be interested. The Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Washington Football Team, and Cleveland Browns. I created a trade scenario for each of the above teams. The Raiders made the most sense.
Jon Gruden recently said that he thinks the thing holding his team back is the lack of a true leader on the defense. A person that every other player respects and will follow into battle.
If Seattle made Wagner available, you have to believe that Gruden and the Raiders would jump farther and faster than just about anyone else (outside of perhaps Bill O’Brian if he was still around). They have the assets, financial room, and roster to make this deal work for both sides.
Meanwhile, Seattle would receive a top 20 draft pick and a fifth-round selection. It equates to roughly pick number 14 in terms of value. That is about as much as you can expect for a linebacker over 30 in this financial landscape.
The Seahawks would save roughly $9.6 million with the trade this season. One can assume that Jordyn Brooks would then slide back to the middle linebacker. As for how to build around Brooks, there are options.
They could select a promising young linebacker in the draft. They could target a buy-low candidate in free agency. Shoot, they could just re-sign K.J. Wright. It likely wouldn’t even eat all the savings given the financial landscape. This would keep a leader on the defense, just for half the cost.