Last offseason, the Washington Commanders signed a host of free agents as general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn went about building their team.
But most were on one-year contracts, like linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Now the time has come to pay the piper as such, with 37 players who were on one-year contracts, are now looking at free agency per Spotrac.com.
With the defense showing good improvement under Joe Whitt Jr., the question now is who should return, and for ESPN, Wagner is one franchise-building player that Washington has to keep.
"Wagner signed a one-year deal to join Washington last offseason, but there were questions about what he had left entering his 13th season," ESPN writes. "It turns out, he had quite a bit. Wagner recorded his 13th consecutive 100-plus-tackle season and earned second-team All-Pro honors (the 11th time he has been either first or second team). In addition, his leadership set a major tone in the locker room and would be hard for the Commanders to replace."
Wagner had a superb season, leading the Commanders in total tackles (132), third in tackles for loss (10), fifth in quarterback hits (eight), and managing three sacks.
Oh, and he was also the third-highest-graded linebacker in football per PFF, with an 89.9 grade, and had 26 total pressures.
His contract last season was a one-year, $6.5 million deal, so perhaps something similar might be coming his way as Wagner led the defense well in his first season.
Now looking to consolidate their good work from this season, having Wagner return would be a good tone-setter for the offseason.
