Russell Wilson's new contract inspired a lot of celebration in the Seattle area, and some congratulatory tweets from Seahawks teammates. Linebacker Bobby Wagner sounded a little more ambivalent in the short term.
Perhaps realizing that didn't sound overly supportive, Wagner sent out the following shortly thereafter:
Wagner made it clear in a press conference Friday he wants to be paid what he's worth.
"If it happens it happens. But all I know is at the end of the season y'all will know that I'm the best linebacker in this league. That's my focus, everything else will take care of itself."
Wagner was asked about a contract deadline and had a telling answer:
"Now. That's my deadline," he said.
NFL Network's Rand Getlin reported this week that the Seahawks and Wagner were optimistic about reaching a deal this week. He is due to make $977,000 in 2015 and a potential new deal would pay him close to $10 million per season. We don't necessarily think that Wilson's deal should prevent a long-term contract for Wagner, especially when it makes so much sense for both sides. Wagner has missed seven games to injury the last two years and would love long-term security.
The Seahawks can't keep everyone, but they have done an incredible job locking up Wilson, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, K.J. Wright, Earl Thomas and Michael Bennett among others. (Then again, Chancellor and Bennett want newdeals again.) They will have to let some players like Russell Okung or Bruce Irvin leave, but Wagner is a player they will make sure to keep around. That could happen with the franchise tag next year, but a long-term deal in the meantime is a lot more likely.
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