It’s not like he was a bystander when it came to being a leader he just led a different way and now Boby Wagner seems to be stepping into the leadership role on the field and vocally off it. Wagner has been selected to the last four Pro Bowls, named to First Team All-Pro in 2014,2016, 2017 and has led the Seahawks in tackles the last two years. So the on the field leader box was an easy check.
Wagner’s off the field leadership box not so much. Sure Wagner was a team leader inside the lockerroom in some shape or form. We can speculate but the truth is outsiders have no idea what goes on behind closed doors.
On Monday the Seattle Seahawks began their final phase of the offseason workouts. Monday was the first of 10 voluntary Organized Team Activities ( OTA) , practices before June’s mandatory minicamp that will wrap up the team’s offseason workouts.
During a Monday morning interview with ESPN 710 Wagner made a point to stretch out an olive branch to the Seahawks six-time All-Pro Safety Earl Thomas who playing his last contractual year with the Seahawks. Thomas has made it clear he would like a new contract before the season ends while the Seahawks have taken a wait and see attitude.
Before finishing his interview with ESPN 710 Wagner showed some love to his Pro Bowl teammate.
“Before we get off, I would like to take this time to shout out to Earl Thomas,” Wagner said. “I think he’s an amazing player, he’s an amazing person, he’s a Hall of Famer. And just let him know that we’re over here and we’re wishing for the best in that situation and we’re thinking about him. And I just want him to know that.’’
When was asked why he made the comment Wagner reply was, “Just because he needs to know. He needs to know that we appreciate him over here. Because he’s a talent that – you’re not going to ever see another person like him ever again play the football field.”
Given Wagner and Thomas had an alleged beef due to twitter exchange after the teams 42-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in which Thomas was quoted as saying it might have been better if Wagner sat out the game because of an injury. Wagner responded via twitter but quickly deleted the tweet and there was an assumption the two never really saw eye to eye after that exchange.
For Wagner to make it a priority to show public support for his teammate shows that Wagner understands that in order for the Seahawks to navigate through their busiest offseason in team history due to player and coaching changes, a different type of leadership will be needed.
