NFL franchise Seattle Seahawks are going through a sea of changes that involve more than their franchise quarterback Russell Wilson. The team went ahead and released their All-Pro linebacker and veteran team leader Bobby Wagner on Tuesday. The shocking news came only a few hours after Russell Wilson’s trade to the AFC West franchise Denver Broncos.

Both Wagner and Wilson were two of the starting blocks for the Seahawks franchise in 2012 and became the flag bearers for the franchise. It is the end of a decade-long association of both players with the city of Seattle. Wagner was the team’s defensive captain and with Wilson was one of the most impactful players on their roster.

While losing the Seahawks linebacker leaves a giant hole in their defensive line, it will be a great financial move. The franchise saves $16.6 million in cash and salary-cap space.

The indications seem to have been there for a parting of ways. Head coach Pete Carroll did make noncommittal comments about Wagner’s future recently during the NFL Combine. Following their 7-10 season in 2021, the 32-year-old did recognize his time was up due to several coaching changes internally.

The end of the Russell Wilson era

The departure of Wilson from the franchise seems to have kicked the Seahawks into gear as they look ahead towards the future. The Seahawks LB was the last surviving member of the signature and star-studded defenses that led Seattle to their only Super Bowl championship. He will be a free agent player for the only time in his NFL career and might be looking to negotiate his contract.

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He was one of the few players who successfully negotiated his contract extension in 2019 for a 3-year, $54 million contract. It is considered a trailblazing instance of a megadeal that was negotiated and signed by a star player.

Wagner was coming off of making 170 tackles in his 8th Pro Bowl selection season after 10 seasons and was about to enter the final year of his contract.

Wagner had a lasting impact on the organization as he recorded 1,383 career tackles while topping the franchise’s all-time list by nearly 400. He was part of the 22 defenders list by the Pro Football Hall of Fame to the All-Decade Team for the 2010s in 2020. The presence of such a key figure in the Seattle defense is sure to be head-scratching for their fans. They have been enduring a whirlwind 48 hours of franchise-altering changes.

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