[
theramswire.usatoday.com] Bobby Wagner excited for role with Rams: 'I'm going to surprise everybody but myself'
Skyler Carlin
July 15, 2022 12:44 pm PT
Bobby Wagner was among the notable additions that the Los Angeles Rams made this offseason, leading many to believe that the defense of the reigning Super Bowl champions could be even better in 2022. While speaking about the transition process from playing for the Seattle Seahawks to playing for a former division rival, Wagner admitted that he never wanted to leave Seattle, but he’s anxious to produce for the Rams.
“… I didn’t want to leave Seattle. But if I was going to leave Seattle, home was the next-best thing for me and so being able to be home, like I’m at peace with the situation,” Wagner told the Seattle Times. “But still any competitor is looking forward to going back to the place that you played that they felt like you didn’t have nothing left and proving them wrong.”
Wagner was released by the Seahawks after the 2021 season concluded following a 10-year career in Seattle. During his tenure with the Seahawks, Wagner was regarded as one of the best linebackers in the NFL, accruing eight Pro Bowls and six All-Pro nods.
Even though Wagner was extremely productive for the Seahawks, helping them win a Super Bowl in 2013, he believes he’s in a better position to make plays with the Rams entering the 2022 campaign, and he’s excited about the role planned for him in L.A.
“I think that I’m in a better position to make plays and I think I’m going to have more opportunities to do some of the things that I was doing early on in my career,” Wagner said of his role with the Rams. “So I think I’m going to surprise everybody but myself.”
Getting a chance to play alongside All-Pro talents like Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey definitely aids Wagner’s opinion on being able to have an opportunity to make more plays in Los Angeles. Despite being somewhat upset about having to leave Seattle, Wagner can’t wait to show he has plenty left in the tank on the Rams.
