Will the 2025 season be Bobby Wagner's last?
This offseason, Wagner was adamant that he wasn't retiring and he preferred a return to the Commanders. Washington wanted him back, too, and made it happen with a one-year contract worth $9.5 million. Wagner started all 17 games for the Commanders last season, recording 132 tackles, including 10 for loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Most importantly, Wagner brought leadership to Washington, helping turn a 4-13 team into a 12-5 squad that reached the NFC championship game.
The Commanders want to spell Wagner more in 2025, to keep him fresh later in the season. Ideally, second-year linebacker Jordan Magee proves he can be Wagner's eventual successor, allowing Washington to rest Wagner more.
That begs the question: Will the 2025 season be Wagner's last?
CBS Sports recently named 10 players who could be playing in their final season in 2025. Wagner was on the list, and Tyler Sullivan predicts that Wagner will not retire.
Wagner is entering his 14th season in the NFL and will be playing in his age-35 season. After a successful first season in Washington that featured an NFC Championship berth, the veteran re-signed with the Commanders, but only on a one-year deal. So, it's conceivable that he could be giving it one more run with the organization before mulling retirement.
Like a good portion of these players, retirement may look more appealing depending on how Washington's 2025 season goes. While Wagner has a Super Bowl title on his résumé, if he were to hoist the Lombardi Trophy yet again, it would be a storybook ending. Beyond that, however, I think he rides with Dan Quinn for at least one more season beyond 2025 as he has plenty of fuel still in the tank.
If Wagner remains healthy in 2025, playing in every game and the Commanders have another successful season, there's a good chance Wagner returns. He's given no indication that he will retire soon. Ideally, Magee becomes the player Washington believes he can be under Wagner's guidance, and the Commanders win the Super Bowl. That would make the future Hall of Famer's decision a bit easier.
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