The Seattle Seahawks’ defensive tackle Bobby Wagner is still hoping he’ll be able to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. He says he wants to stay with the team in 2018, though it hasn’t been decided if that will actually happen yet.
The “Seattle Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner hopes he plays Sunday, optimistic he stays with team next season” is an article about the defensive player for the Seattle Seahawks. He has been a key player in their success and hopes to continue playing with them next year.
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Brady Henderson is a professional football player. ESPN
SEATTLE (AP) — After admitting his unclear future with the Seahawks a week ago, All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner sounded more optimistic on Wednesday, stating he had “a lot of confidence” that he’ll be back for an 11th season in 2022.
Wagner said he hasn’t given up hope of playing in the team’s season finale, saying he’ll undergo “as much therapy as I possibly can” on his injured knee in the hopes of suiting up Sunday at State Farm Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals.
Wagner, who injured his knee on the first play of the Seahawks’ rout of the Detroit Lions last week and did not return, said, “I’m going to take it one day at a time.” “I’ve got a few days until Sunday, so we’ll see what happens.”
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When asked last week whether he has questioned if he’ll be back with the Seahawks next season because of his high cap figure, Wagner said yes. On the aftermath of Seattle’s first double-digit defeat since 2009, the Seahawks’ defensive captain and longest-tenured player (along with quarterback Russell Wilson) stated there would “clearly” be some adjustments, adding, “Whether or not I’m part of those changes, I don’t know.”
Wagner was asked on Wednesday whether the uncertainty has given him any more motivation to play on Sunday.
“Not really,” he responded, “since I don’t feel like this is my final time.” “I don’t think this will be my final time wearing a Seahawks jersey.” This isn’t the last time I’ve done anything like that. I recognize there is a commercial aspect to this, but I am confident in my ability to return. As a result, I’m not concerned. Obviously, I don’t have complete control over everything. Only my portion is within my control. And, for my part, I have a strong feeling that I adore this city. This group is fantastic. The Seahawks are my favorite team. So I’ve always wanted to be a part of a franchise’s ups and downs at all times. So this is a group that I’d want to be a member of for a long time.
“So that’s where I’m at on my end, that I’m a Seahawk until they tell me otherwise. So that’s how I’m thinking. So I don’t think it was my final game or that this is going to be my next game.”
Wagner, 31, is his own agent and signed a three-year, $54 million agreement in 2019, which set a new yearly average for off-the-ball linebackers. In what is set to be the last year of that agreement, he will contribute $20.35 million against the salary limit next season, second only to Wilson’s $37 million cap hit for 2022. Wagner’s $16.6 million salary for next season is not guaranteed.
Wagner was asked what gives him hope that he’ll be able to return next season.
“I’d like to think I’m a fairly decent businessman,” Wagner said. “I’d like to think I have a lot of respect here.” “So I’m simply going to go into my business mode and figure it out.”
When asked whether this indicates he’d be open to negotiating a new deal with Seattle, Wagner said with a smile: “That was not my intention…. I said that I am a businessperson. That’s all I had to say about it. I’m going to put on my work suit. I didn’t say I’d do everything.”
Last month, Wagner was selected to the Pro Bowl for the eighth consecutive season, and he might be named to the first team All-Pro for the seventh time.
Wagner is the Seahawks’ all-time tackle leader and only two weeks ago set a new team mark for tackles in a season. His 170 tackles led the league until he was passed by Foyesade Oluokun of the Atlanta Falcons last week (179).
Wagner hadn’t missed a snap this season until his foot slipped as he attempted to land on the damp field at Lumen Field against the Lions. Following the injury timeout, he attempted to return for the next snap but was forced to sit out at least one play under NFL rules. That’s when the Seahawks opted to take him to the locker room for further assessment, where he remained for the rest of the game.
Coach Pete Carroll described the injury as a sprained knee capsule that would not need surgery. He said that the squad is crossing its fingers that he would be able to participate on Sunday.
Wagner did not practice on Wednesday, as planned.
“I simply want to express my gratitude to everyone who contacted out,” he stated. “I’m OK. You don’t have to be concerned about anything. It’s not a major situation. I’m thankful that I practice yoga. I just discovered that I can perform the splits if I so choose.”
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