Seahawks star middle linebacker Bobby Wagner was present at Seattle’s OTA on Tuesday, although he did not participate in any of the drills.
That appears to be Wagner’s plan going forward, as he told reporters he’ll be present at all the team activities, but will not participate until he signs a contract extension beyond the 2019 season.
Wagner, who represents himself, is hoping to get an extension that tops the recent five-year, $85 million dollar deal signed by fellow inside linebacker C.J. Mosely.
“I know what I’m worth,” Wagner stated Tuesday after practice. “That’s the standard, and that is the plan to break that.”
Seattle already dished out a record-breaking four-year, $140 million dollar contract to quarterback Russell Wilson, but the trade of Frank Clark has freed up some cap space, more than enough to sign Wagner to a deal of that caliber.
The Seahawks have historically gotten contract extensions done early in training camp, so the team isn’t feeling rushed on this deal.
“Everything’s going to come together in time,” coach Pete Carroll commented after practice. “Everything’s in order and we’re in order of what we want to do and it feels very comfortable and very amicable and all of that. So everything’s going just right.”
Wagner’s last contract extension didn’t get done until August, and while he does not want to wait that long, he is prepared to be patient while he waits for the right deal.
“Obviously I would like for something to get done before the season,” Wagner continued. “We’ve had some communication. We have a plan. I’m just being patient and letting things happen.”
Wagner will continue to lead the defense and teach the young players, including two new linebackers in Cody Barton and Ben Burr-Kirven, from the sidelines until his deal gets done.
