Tyrel Dodson drops truth about how classy Bobby Wagner was even at the end

The writing had to be on the proverbial wall for Bobby Wagner that the Seattle Seahawks were not going to try to bring him back in 2024. For the second time in three seasons, Wagner would be leaving Seattle to play for another team. With most players, he would have a right to feel jilted and annoyed.

Maybe deep down, Wagner does feel that way. More likely, he understands that the NFL is a business and teams are going to spend high dollars on the players they think best fit their systems. Seattle hired Mike Macdonald to be the team's new head coach this offseason, Pete Carroll was relieved of his duties, and a new defensive philosophy was brought in.

Macdonald requires his inside linebackers to cover extremely well. Wagner is a future Hall of Fame player, but coverage has never been his best trait. To replace Wagner, Seattle signed Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker. Dodson, like Wagner was, will be the green dot in Seattle's defense. The former Buffalo Bill was signed on March 14. On March 15, Wagner signed with the Washington Commanders.

Bobby Wagner unbelievably classy for the Seattle Seahawks even at the end

After training camp practice ended on Saturday, Dodson was asked why he decided to sign with the Seahawks. He gave a couple of answers. One was that he was excited to play in Macdonald's scheme as Dodson had watched how the Baltimore Ravens - Macdonald was the Ravens defensive coordinator for the last two seasons - had dominated opposing offenses. Dodson wanted to be part of that.

The other reason might have been even more interesting. Seattle's new inside linebacker mentioned how when he was a high school senior, he had DM'd Wagner because he was a big fan of the linebacker. He was surprised that Wagner responded back but he did. Dodson kept the message and still has it on his phone currently.

After Dodson signed with Seattle this year, Wagner still messaged Dodson to congratulate him on signing with what would be Wagner's former team. This was in a way a player being forced out of his spot by a new player and the former player congratulating the new one on the move. Few people would ever do that.

Whenever Bobby Wagner retires and enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he should be remembered as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. 12s will also like him, but as much for the man he was than the player he was on the field. In both cases, he was great.

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