Seahawks sign Wagner to reported 3-year, $54M extension

The Seattle Seahawks announced the signing of star linebacker Bobby Wagner to a multi-year contract extension Friday.

Wagner's deal is a three-year pact worth $54 million, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It reportedly includes $40.2 million in guarantees.

Averaging $18 million per season, Wagner's new deal will make him the league's highest-paid off-ball linebacker when it kicks in next season, eclipsing C.J. Mosley's contract with the New York Jets.

"I'm really excited to have this done, excited that I get to be a Seahawk for a long, long time," Wagner said. "Like I've always said, I want to play my entire career here, and I feel like today is a step toward that.

"It feels amazing being here. I've watched people stay, I've watched people go, and to have the trust from the organization to continue to let me lead this team, lead the defense, it's a great feeling. I'm excited to get back to work."

The 29-year-old was seeking a new pact as he entered the final year of his current deal. He attended offseason workouts and the start of training camp but limited his participation to avoid injury.

A first-team All-Pro in each of the last three years - and a four-time first-team selection for his career - Wagner is one of the NFL's premier players and the leader of Seattle's post-Legion of Boom defense. He collected 138 tackles, an interception, and a sack in 2018 and has racked up over 100 tackles in each of his seven NFL campaigns.

Wagner's decision to ink a reportedly short-term deal is noteworthy. Instead of taking more overall money on a long-term agreement, he can potentially test the open market once again following the 2022 campaign.