Bobby Wagner’s one-year stint with the Los Angeles Rams has come to an end. After signing a five-year, $50 million contract last offseason, the two parties have mutually agreed to part ways after just one season.
Despite the Rams’ disappointing 5-12 record, Wagner had a great year with the team. He posted 140 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks, five passes defended and two interceptions. The 32-year-old linebacker also earned second-team All-Pro honors, marking his ninth straight year making an All-Pro team.
The issue wasn’t Wagner’s performance so much as how his contract fit into the Rams’ larger plans. With the team already $14.9 million over the salary cap for the 2023 season, they needed to free up some much-needed cap space. Releasing Wagner leaves $7.5 million in dead money, but the Rams still gain $5 million in new cap space.
Wagner’s exit leaves the Rams with a much thinner linebacker corps, but it could also shake up the free agent market. Lavonte David, Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds now head the class, and the Rams could look to bring in another veteran to fill the void.
It’s a sad end to Wagner’s time in Los Angeles, but it’s understandable why the Rams decided to move on. They are now looking to rebuild their roster and get back to the playoffs. With the extra cap space and a new commitment to rebuilding, the Rams will be looking to find a way back to the top of the NFC West.
