Seahawks' Bobby Wagner: Sneaky MVP Candidate or Just 'Feel-Good' Story?
After a one-year vacation in Los Angeles, Bobby Wagner is set to make his triumphant return to the field with the Seattle Seahawks this season. Already having established himself as one of the best players in franchise history, the linebacker will suit up for his 11th season with the team.
Though he's coming off of a year with the Rams that saw him lead the team in tackles (140), no one's necessarily expecting him to match his usual All-Pro level while playing on a one-year, $5.5 million deal this season.
But NFL.com thinks that Wagner reaching this elite production is a given. In fact, the site is taking this a step further and is listing Wagner as Seattle's top non-quarterback MVP candidate. This is some major praise for a team that also includes guys like DK Metcalf and Tariq Woolen.
NFL.com says that picking Wagner for this label is more than just a "feel-good" story.
This is not a legacy pick, or a feel-good one, I promise. The return of Wagner, even at age 33, could be a massive development for a Seattle team that improved in a lot of ways last season but struggled badly to contain opponents' run games. Now that Wagner is back where he spent the first 10 years of his career, he'll have every chance to once again be a critical cog for a Seattle team that is suddenly an interesting contender out west.
You can pretty much pencil in another 100-tackle season for Wagner, who has reached that mark every year of his fantastic career.
However, NFL.com's non-QB MVP rankings likely aren't necessarily meant to be take as predictions for serious candidates for the award. Wagner might be one of Seattle's MVPs next season, but would need to have a campaign for the ages in order to beat out the rest of the league for the honor.
And at 33 years of age, this would be Tom Brady-esque for a guy that is basically the quarterback of Seattle's defense. But best to temper expectations now before things get too out of hand. Winning Defensive Player of the Year is a much more obtainable award for a player of Wagner's pedigree and caliber.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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