The Washington Commanders miracle season has come to a close, and the blowout NFC Championship loss could also spell the end of the Bobby Wagner Era. Despite his advanced age, the six-time All-Pro and eventual Hall of Famer remained one of the league’s elite linebackers and played a pivotal role in guiding Washington to their deep playoff run. Starting and appearing in all 17 games, the Utah State product finished the season with two sacks, 132 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, eight quarterback hits, and an 87.0 PFF grade, the third-best in the league.
Now set to test free agency, the Washington Commanders would probably love to re-sign the veteran for his age-35 season. While he obviously has a lot left in his tank and is a fit in this defense, the impending free agent could test his worth on the open market. If he decides to leave Washington, the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers could be perfect fits as Wagner chases one more championship.
Commanders Could Lose Free Agent Bobby Wagner to Ravens, Chargers
While the unit came alive late in the season, Baltimore’s defense didn’t look like its usual self for most of the season. While they lost several free agents before the season, one of the biggest losses was former first-round pick Patrick Queen. Leaving for the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens had to make due with superstar Roquan Smith and 2023 third-round pick Trenton Simpson.
Simpson did his best in the increased role, but this defense is at its best when it has two unstoppable linebackers. The Ravens have been one of the most talented teams in the league since Lamar Jackson took over, but they’ve never made it over the postseason hump. Stealing Bobby Wagner from the Commanders will not only give the team a great starter opposite Smith, but it will also give the team a leader who knows what it takes to win a championship.
Stopping the Run
Nobody believes in stopping the run more than Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. An old-school mind, Harbaugh tries to win his games in the trenches, which means he should have plenty of interest in Commanders free agent Bobby Wagner. The former Michigan champion did a remarkable job of rebuilding the Chargers overnight, shedding some poor contracts and creating cap space while guiding the team to a postseason birth.
Now armed with over $63 million in projected cap space, Los Angeles has the money to completely rebuild this team in Harbaugh’s image. While the Chargers will likely invest in guards and wide receivers, it’s safe to assume they’ll also try and improve their run defense. 2023 third-round pick Daiyan Henley looks like a franchise cornerstone, but this team must find another high-upside linebacker. By signing Bobby Wagner, Los Angeles can have two above-average starters and create a poor man’s version of the Patrick Willis-Na’Vorro Bowman duo that terrified offenses during Harbaugh’s stint with the San Francisco 49ers.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports
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