Of all the players in the Washington Commanders' class of pending free agents, one of the most crucial is linebacker Bobby Wagner.
The 13-year NFL veteran signed a one-year deal in Washington before the 2024 season and proved he's still got what it takes to be an elite player. Wagner led the team with 132 tackles during the regular season, was named a Pro Bowler for the 10th time in his career, and earned second-team All-Pro honors.
Even so, it's no guarantee he will return to the Commanders in 2025.
His primary job in Washington was to serve as a veteran leadership presence who could help turn around the culture. In that regard, Wagner's job is done. There's another team where he can play that same role in 2025, and it seems that the writing is on the wall.
Wagner has spent 11 of his 13 NFL seasons, including his first 10, playing for Pete Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks. Now, the head coach has returned to coaching with the Las Vegas Raiders after a year away from the industry. The dots are already starting to connect.
The Raiders could use a player with the former Utah State star's on-and off-field prowess. Las Vegas went 4-13 a season ago, the same record that Washington had the year before Wagner's arrival.
Dan Quinn was noncommital regarding Bobby Wagner's future with Commanders
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, a former Carroll assistant in Seattle, doesn't seem optimistic that Wagner will be back. He gave the press some vague soundbites while dodging questions when it came to the future Pro Football Hall of Famer at the NFL Scouting Combine, making it sound like the second-level enforcer has already determined his fate for next fall.
Dan Quinn brings up Bobby Wagner unprompted - “Bobby Wagner is somewhere getting better today.” Wagner been massive for Washington and is a pending free agent.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 26, 2025
Carroll also hinted during his availability to the media that the Raiders may be interested in Wagner's services. The wry smile after lavishing praise on his old team captain spoke a thousand words.
If the 34-year-old is to sign with Las Vegas, it will be the fourth consecutive offseason in which he moves to a new city. After leaving Seattle following the 2021 season, he spent a campaign with the Los Angeles Rams before returning to the Seahawks in 2023. Wagner then joined the Commanders to spearhead a cultural reset.
No one will know of Wagner's plans for certain until free agency officially begins. But reading between the lines, it seems likely that the Commanders are going to need to be in search of a new linebacker opposite Frankie Luvu — ideally one they can keep around for the long haul.
Adam Peters would be wise to form contingency plans when, or if, Wagner signs elsewhere.