Commanders Bring Back Bobby Wagner on Another One-Year Deal After Strong Season
For ageless linebacker Bobby Wagner, the beat reportedly goes on.
The Washington Commanders are signing Wagner to a one-year contract worth up to $9.5 million, according to a Thursday afternoon report from Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Wagner, 34, is coming off his 10th Pro Bowl season in the last 11 years. Providing a crucial veteran presence in a young Commanders locker room, he helped Washington reach the NFC championship in 2024.
The Utah State product has never had a season with fewer than 100 combined tackles, and his total of 1,838 leads all active players; his career is sure to end in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Per Garafolo and Rapoport, Wagner represented himself during negotiations.
This past season was his first with the Commanders following 12 with the Seattle Seahawks and one with the Los Angeles Rams. Clearly, Washington has recognized the value of having a big name like Wagner around—even at his advanced age.
Commanders Make ‘Strong’ Decision About Bobby Wagner: Report
It hasn’t taken long for the Washington Commanders to make a “strong” decision about the future of veteran leader Bobby Wagner, ahead of 2025 NFL free agency. The decorated middle linebacker will still be around for another season after agreeing a new one-year deal on Thursday, March 6.
This move was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Rapoport described how “Wagner and the team agreed on a strong 1-year deal worth up to $9.5M with $8M guaranteed. Wagner represented himself on the deal.”
The note about Wagner repping himself during negotiations shouldn’t be a surprise. He’s been calling his own shot and leading from the front throughout the vast majority of a career that will likely end with a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Wagner only enhanced his standing in league history by playing a key role in the instant turnaround experienced by the Commanders in 2024. A rapid revival that saw a supposedly rebuilding program transformed from 4-13 to a spot in the NFC Championship Game.
Proven veterans like Wagner underpinned the sudden momentum with savvy, professionalism and production on the field. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn will again rely on the 34-year-old for more of the same this year, as Washington strives for necessary improvement defensively.
Commanders re-sign LB Bobby Wagner
The Commanders are re-signing linebacker Bobby Wagner to a one-year deal worth up to $9.5 million with $8 million guaranteed, NFL Media reports.
Wagner ranks 29th on PFT’s top-100 free agents list.
He becomes the second off-ball linebacker to re-sign after Zack Baun re-upped with the Eagles. Dre Greenlaw, Nick Bolton and Ernest Jones are among the best remaining players at the position.
Wagner initially signed with the Commanders last March, getting a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million. In his first season in Washington, he played 99 percent of the snaps.
He made his 10th Pro Bowl with 132 tackles, two sacks, four passes defensed, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 17 games.
Next season will be Wagner’s 14th in the NFL.
