On Tuesday, former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner took the podium for his introductory press conference with the Los Angeles Rams.
After the Seahawks released him in surprise fashion earlier this offseason, Wagner immediately became a hot-ticket item on the free-agent market. The Rams and Ravens were widely reported as his top-two landing spots, but Wagner himself says he had “mutual interest” with at least one other team.
The six-time All-Pro LB, who acted as his own agent, says he had conversations with the Dallas Cowboys regarding a potential partnership in 2022.
It ultimately came down to the money.
“That was a real thing. We had conversations. I love Dan Quinn and have a lot of respect for him. But between their needs and what they were willing to spend we couldn’t agree. But there was mutual interest,” Wagner said, per Jabari Young of CNBC.
“Between the Rams and Cowboys – those are teams that have been around for a long time and have a lot of history,” Wagner added. “Being able to be a part of any of those franchises boosts your notoriety. And I landed on one.”
The NFL world took to Twitter to react to this news.
“This bums me out cause it looks like Wagner was willing to workout a contract that the Cowboys could actually afford but chose not to,” one Dallas fan wrote.
“Von Miller wanted to be a Cowboy. Bobby Wagner wanted to be a Cowboy. Stephen Jones wanted cap space. Cowboys fans want a Super Bowl and won’t ever get it,” another added.
“Ridiculous…it was there on a silver platter for the Cowboys,” another said.
😞 the entire off-season has been the same story… Cowboys Interested… Cowboys Cheap As 💩.. Player Signs Elsewhere https://t.co/zRIZ5HCMvu
— Sports & Culture Media (@MySportsCulture) April 6, 2022
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Through his 10th and final season with the Seahawks in 2021, Wagner logged a career-high 170 total tackles. The 31-year-old star signed a five-year deal worth up to $65 million with the reigning Super Bowl champs.
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