Past Cowboys free-agent target Bobby Wagner reportedly parting ways with Rams

A year after passing on Bobby Wagner, the Cowboys might have another shot to sign the nine-time All-Pro linebacker.

Wagner, 32, and the Rams mutually agreed to part ways, according to multiple reports. The Rams are seeking more cap space and Wagner is seeking a winning situation, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.

The Cowboys were interested in Wagner last offseason before he eventually signed a five-year, $50 million contract with the Rams.

Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is familiar with Wagner, having coached the 2012 second-round pick in 2013 and 2014 in Seattle. Last offseason, Quinn and Wagner, who was personally operating as his own agent, were in contact, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Dallas Morning News in March 2022. Star linebacker Micah Parsons took to Twitter to recruit Wagner last offseason, tagging him in a Twitter post with eyeball emojis.

Money was a factor in why the Cowboys didn’t sign him last year. While it could be again, the Cowboys also have three free agents at linebacker in Leighton Vander Esch, Anthony Barr and Luke Gifford. The Cowboys could also present the winning situation Wagner is looking for, as they have gone 12-5 in two straight seasons, including a wild-card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past season.

In 11 NFL seasons, Wagner has 78 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks and 13 interceptions in 168 games. In his lone season in Los Angeles, Wagner had a career-best six sacks to go with 10 tackles for loss.

NFL teams are permitted to contact or enter contract negotiations with NFL free agents starting on March 13. The new league year and the free agency period begin at 3 p.m. CT on March 15.

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