Getty Image / Abbie Parr
The Seattle Seahawks’ famous “Legion of Boom” defenses in the early-to-mid 2010s were the stuff of legend. That great defense, led by head coach Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, led the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl XLVIII thrashing of the Denver Broncos, 43-8.
There were stars all over the field, and at all three levels of the defense. It was basically picking your poison against those defenses.
Up front, the Seahawks had stars like Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, and Bruce Irvin to harass opposing quarterbacks. The linebackers had great role players like KJ Wright and Malcom Smith. Smith was actually the Super Bowl MVP that year. And, the secondary was the highlight, with future Hall of Famers Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas alongside studs like Byron Maxwell, Kam Chancellor, and Brandon Browner.
But, the glue that held it all together was stud inside linebacker Bobby Wagner. Wagner was arguably the NFL’s best middle linebacker of the 2010s, and he is arguably the greatest player in Seahawks history. He was a six-time first-team All Pro selection as a Seahawk, and made three 2nd teams, as well. He was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team, and his all-around skillset has been nearly unmatched. Wagner is stout against the run and, especially in his prime, was excellent against pass coverage.
But, Wagner, who will play next season as a 33-year-old left the Seahawks prior to the 2022 season to join the Los Angeles Rams. Despite the terrible season for the Rams, he had 140 tackles and six sacks while playing in all seventeen games. But, the Rams released him, in what appeared to be a mutual decision, in February. Now, Wagner is returning to the Seahawks.
He’s back! Seahawks signing LB Bobby Wagner to one-year, $7M deal. (via @qdiggs6) pic.twitter.com/fPauRLO9la
— NFL (@NFL) March 25, 2023
This is huge for Seattle, who surprisingly made the playoffs in 2022 behind a surprising Pro Bowl season from Geno Smith. And, thanks to the Russell Wilson trade, they will pick fifth overall in the draft, as well as their own pick at pick 20. It’s shaping up to be a great offseason for the Seattle Seahawks.