RENTON, Wash. (AP) – Bobby Wagner was patient to a point.
The All-Pro middle linebacker was willing to sit back and let the Seattle Seahawks finish up their contract negotiations with Russell Wilson. But once Wilson’s payday was taken care of, Wagner wanted to know if his future was in Seattle or if he would go into the final year of his rookie contract with uncertainty.
“I’m thankful for it. If I would have waited any longer I probably wouldn’t have been as patient,” Wagner said. “But you know it’s a crazy process and I’m glad it’s over.”
Two days after expressing displeasure at not having an extension in hand, Wagner was basking Sunday at being the highest paid middle linebacker in football after signing a four-year extension worth a reported $43 million.
The deal was finalized and signed late Saturday night, yet another member of the Seahawks’ core group who is being rewarded for leading the franchise to consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Wagner joins a list that includes Wilson, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, K.J. Wright, Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham all under contract through at least the 2016 season.