Source: Commanders signing star LB Bobby Wagner

According to a source who spoke with ESPN on Wednesday, the Washington Commanders, who boast the NFL’s worst statistical defense, added eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner.

In an effort to strengthen a defense that finished last season with the fewest scores and yards allowed, Washington has added Wagner as its sixth defensive addition since Monday.

First reported by the NFL Network, Wagner agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $8.5 million with $6 million guaranteed.

In addition, Washington added safety Jeremy Chinn, linebacker Frankie Luvu, and three defensive ends: Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell.

Wagner was tutored by linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. for four seasons while playing for the Seahawks, and head coach Dan Quinn spent two years as Wagner’s coordinator in Seattle.

Wagner, a future Hall of Famer and one of the most accomplished inside linebackers in the past ten years, participated in every game for the Seattle Seahawks in the previous season, recording an NFL-high 183 tackles, setting a new career high in the process.

Wagner, 33, participated in every game and added 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 6 quarterback hits, and 3 passes defensed.

Wagner stated in January In 2024, “100%” intended to play in the NFL for the thirteenth time.

Wagner, who was selected by Seattle in the second round out of Utah State in 2012, anchored the “Legion of Boom” defense in the middle, helping the Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII and almost repeat in Super Bowl XLIX. During his first ten seasons, he played for Seattle, winning eight straight Pro Bowls and was selected six times for the first team of the All-Pro team.

He is the all-time top tackler for the Seahawks.

Wagner played with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 after being released by the Seahawks, and the two parties ended their relationship amicably at the end of the season. Wagner signed a one-year contract with a base of $5.5 million to return to Seattle, but he also received an additional $750,000 for making the Pro Bowl on his first vote, which was his 11th career selection.

After a few years, Wagner became his own agent and negotiated his last three contracts, which included a three-year, $54 million extension in 2019 that put him at the top of the NFL’s inside linebacker salary scale.

In each of his first 12 NFL seasons, he recorded more than 100 tackles, totaling 1,706 tackles. Thirty-three sacks, thirteen interceptions, and six forced 89 tackles for loss, 10 fumble recoveries, and fumbles in 185 regular-season games.