Seahawks MLB Bobby Wagner Considered Holding Out, Wants New Deal “Now”

Seahawks MLB Bobby Wagner told reporters on Friday that he considered holding out of training camp for a new contract, per Tom Pelissero.

When asked about his deadline for a deal to get done, Wagner responded: “Now.”

Shortly after the news broke that the Seahawks had signed QB Russell Wilson to a four-year extension worth $87.6 million, Wagner tweeted:

https://twitter.com/Bwagz54/status/627131532503691265

It appeared as though the Seahawks were likely to turn their attention to locking Wagner up long-term in the event that they were unable to get a deal in place with Wilson.

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll told reporters on Friday that he hopes to get a deal done with Wagner before the season, per Curtis Crabtree.

A source recently told Josina Anderson of ESPN that contract talks were “progressing” between the Seahawks and MLB Bobby Wagner, and there’s about a “50/50” chance a deal getting done before Week 1.

“Talks are progressing. Both sides are optimistic that they can get a deal done before the season starts,” said Anderson’s source of the current state of negotiations. “I’d say it’s about a 50/50 chance now it happens by then.”

Jason La Canfora  of CBS Sports previously mentioned that Wagner is seeking a contract that would pay him around $10 million per season and the Seahawks reportedly aren’t “all that far off” in terms of their valuation.

At $10 million per year, Wagner would be the highest paid inside linebacker, according to Spotrac.com. This doesn’t count Packers LB Clay Matthews, who moved inside mid-season.

Wagner, 24, is entering the final year of his four-year, $4.307 million rookie contract that included a base salary of $977,427 for the 2015 season.

In 2014, Wagner appeared in 11 games for the Seahawks and recorded 104 tackles, two sacks, and three pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has Wagner rated as the No. 5 inside linebacker in the league out of 60 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding the Seahawks and Wagner as the news is available.