Wagner preparing for 2019 to be final year with Seahawks
Bobby Wagner said Saturday he wants to retire as a member of the Seattle Seahawks but revealed they've yet to discuss an extension ahead of a contract year for the All-Pro linebacker.
"I'm preparing like this is my last year as a Seahawk," Wagner told NFL Network's Omar Ruiz. "If it is, I want to make sure I go out with a bang and make sure I give the city something to remember."
Wagner, who's representing himself in negotiations, added he understands "it's a business."
The Seahawks had three key players to extend entering this offseason: quarterback Russell Wilson, franchise-tagged defensive end Frank Clark, and Wagner.
Wilson, the team's top priority, inked a four-year deal worth an NFL-record $35 million per season in mid-April; later in the month, Clark was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a first-round pick and was immediately handed $105 million over five years.
The Pro Bowl inside linebacker will likely command a contract toward the top of the market after racking up 916 total tackles in just seven seasons. The New York Jets' prized free-agent acquisition, C.J. Mosley, is currently the highest-paid player at the position, earning a market-resetting $17 million a year.
Before Mosley inked his deal with New York - and potentially complicated negotiations between Seattle and Wagner - Luke Kuechly's $12.36 million annually topped all inside linebackers, according to Over The Cap. Wagner sat in second place with a deal averaging $10.75 million.
Wagner and fellow linebacker K.J. Wright are the lone remaining defensive stars from Seattle's Super Bowl XLVIII-winning team.