The Seahawks have withstood a number of changes to their defense over the past couple of seasons, but Friday the team made sure it kept one of its most veteran players and a leader of the fresh-faced unit.
Bobby Wagner agreed to terms on a three-year extension worth $54 million, Seattle announced Friday.
Locked up the best LB in the game!!!! 🐢🐢🐢
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) July 27, 2019
» https://t.co/hiTBB6Xma8 pic.twitter.com/yMSqM9fZpL
Wagner's goal, according to NFL Network, was to be the highest-paid linebacker in the league and the new contract — valued at $18 million per year — achieved that.
He will also get $40.2 million in guarantees, the report noted.
The leader of the #Seahawks defense, who showed up for his teammates at camp, wanted to be the highest paid inside LB. And he is at $18M per year. Big time payday. https://t.co/PYGixjxVfi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2019
Wagner is entering his eighth season, all spent with Seattle, after being selected in the second round as the 47th overall pick of the 2012 draft.
He immediately had a starting role with the team and has been remarkably consistent and healthy playing 14 or more games in five of seven seasons with the Seahawks and all 16 during three of those years.
The five-time Pro Bowl player, and three-time consecutive selection, has been trending up since career years in 2016 (where he recorded 168 total tackles) and 2017 (when he finished with 97 solo tackles).
This past season Wagner tallied 138 total tackles, eight quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and one interception which he returned for a touchdown.
"He deserves to be the highest-paid linebacker. Ain't nobody better than him in the game and that's just the honest truth," quarterback Russell Wilson told reporters after practice Friday.
Wagner did report to training camp this week, despite not having a new deal at the time, but has yet to participate in practice.