Latest news with #BobbyWagner
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jayden Daniels 'Holding Commanders To A Standard' With Super Bowl Goals
Jayden Daniels 'Holding Commanders To A Standard' With Super Bowl Goals originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It is a new year for Washington Commanders' quarterback Jayden Daniels, and what happened last season is well and truly in the rearview mirror. Advertisement Yes, the 12-5 record and NFC Championship appearance were nice, but that means little right now and won't help the franchise in 2025. With Dan Quinn, Daniels, and a group of veterans, including Bobby Wagner, Marcus Mariota, and Zach Ertz, helping establish and maintain the culture that will be the driving force behind Washington's success, naturally, expectations are high entering 2025. But for Daniels, he is well aware that he and the franchise are starting from scratch as offseason workouts begin. 'I think it's a standard set,' Daniels said. 'You got the core guys that set the standard, and we got those guys back. So we're bringing in new people and we're holding them to that standard, but we know everything is not going to be given to us, we got to go out there and earn it each and every day.' Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Jayden being self-aware is nothing new, and yes, last season was superb by any metric you want to use. Now, everyone is on a level playing field until the season kicks off. Advertisement After so much heavy lifting was done last season to get the Commanders out of the NFL doldrums and into relevancy, the franchise won't want all of that work to go to waste by cutting corners and not being as focused. However, it is clear that Daniels and his teammates recognize that the standards they set last season equated to Super Bowl-level success, and if they want the same results, the standards must be maintained. And Jayden is making sure it is. Related: Commanders Needs At Receiver Are Overrated in 2025 Related: Commanders Tackle Group Predicted As Largest Position Battle This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Two former Seahawks stars challenged each other. They show how relationships really grow
Editor's Note: This story is a part of Peak, The Athletic's new desk covering leadership, personal development and success through the lens of sports. Peak aims to connect readers to ideas they can implement in their own personal and professional lives. Follow Peak here. I have known Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright for a dozen years now, which is hard to believe. Advertisement For much of that time, Wagner and Wright were linebackers for the Seattle Seahawks during the franchise's golden years, while I was a young reporter for The Seattle Times and The Athletic. Wright was inquisitive, always interested in other people's lives. Wagner delivered blunt honesty with a smile and a positive aura. But what stood out to me were the ways they balanced each other, so I wanted to talk to them together for a couple of reasons. First, they are entertaining as a pair, equal parts complimenting each other and bickering in the way lots of friendships will recognize. Second, I wanted to hear how they navigated the intersection of their personal and professional relationships — how they held each other accountable in the workplace while remaining close away from it. Today, Wright is an assistant for the San Francisco 49ers in the early days of his coaching career. Wagner is about to enter his 14th season and is the leader of the Washington Commanders. This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity. You guys were together for so long, I want to know what you learned from each other. K.J., I'll let you start. Wright: The power of building a relationship with somebody. You talk about leading and guiding people, but Bobby is good at connecting with people. I don't think there was a person in the locker room that he didn't vibe with. Spending time with people, hanging out, shooting the s—. He was good at that. And something that I want to get better at: being honest. I like to sugarcoat a lot. I like to take people's feelings into account. But Bobby was like: 'Hey, shoot it to me straight.' It's crazy because (49ers assistant head coach) Gus Bradley came to my office today, and I said I want to get better at that. What I try to do is protect people's feelings, but you realize the ultimate goal is for people to get better. So if you lie to them and bulls— them, that's just as damaging. I think Bobby was good at telling the truth and having emotional intelligence with it. Advertisement Tell me where that comes from, Bobby. Wagner: I'm observant. I'm constantly learning — not just about things but about people. I read somewhere that 90 percent of communication is body language, so I try to pay attention to that. I feel like a lot of people don't bulls— but they mask their feelings, especially in this sport. If you're able to pick up on body language that tells you otherwise, that tells you when they're like, 'Oh, yeah, I'm all good,' but their body language isn't saying that, you kind of know how to open them up. But I would say I learned this from K.J.: How to care about people. Because when people know that you care, it puts them in a space to open up. I don't think that's something he gives himself enough credit for. He always created a space where people felt vulnerable to come to him about anything. Like he was saying, sometimes I might give a hard truth that might not make people feel as comfortable talking to me. We were kind of like the perfect balance. They might come to K.J. after I told them the hard truth, and he was able to break it down in a different way than I expressed it. I think that's why we worked so well together. We knew each other's strengths. I don't know if I've ever told K.J. this. K.J. did something small for me back when I covered you guys, that meant a lot to me, so what better way to share it than when thousands of people are going to read it. I came to the locker room one day and, man, I was in a bad headspace. I was depressed and just having a tough time. K.J. came up to me … Wright: I think I remember this. K.J. came up to me and was like: 'You doing OK?' And I lied to him and said, 'Yeah, of course,' but it meant a lot to me that he noticed that because a lot of players wouldn't. It's a little superpower of yours. Wright: Save your tears, man. Save your damn tears. But, no, you just look at life in general. So many times we put on a mask and try to cover up stuff, but it's written all over our face. Body language. The way you walk, the way you talk. I think we both were good at that, too. Advertisement When I was going through my s— in my eighth year, I felt like I didn't have enough people who understood what I was going through. But Bobby would come check on me: 'Hey, man, how are you feeling? How are you doing? How's your headspace?' First off, I lied, but then I was able to say: 'Man, this sucks. I'm hurt during my contract year. Life ain't good.' When you have a relationship with somebody, just to be able to be there for them and give them space to just get the words out of their system and talk it out, that s— is powerful in my opinion. I thought he was always good at that with everybody in the locker room. Bobby, how do you give hard feedback or how do you hold people accountable? Wagner: Uhhh, you just say it. As simple as that? Wagner: I think what you value most is an honest friend. I forget what rapper said that, but like K.J. was saying, we live in a space where, especially when you're coming up, people always tell you what you're good at. They're afraid to give you their real, honest opinion. So when you find somebody who will tell you when you're not on your game, it allows you to fix a problem. A lot of times, people don't know that something is off or that they could be doing something better because people are always patting them on the back. I think that comes through relationships. That comes through knowing a person. You sit down and have a conversation and you go over somebody's goals and they say what they want to do, so when you catch them in a space where they're not doing what they said they wanted to do, or they're not working as hard as they need to to get to that goal, you can check them on it because they know it's coming from a good place. It's coming from a caring place. 'I want you to meet that goal. This is me just pushing you.' And the other thing is, I always leave space to check myself, too. I've never been in a space where someone can't tell me when I'm off my game or I'm not doing what I need to do. Wright: I'm going to push back on you, Bobby. When you do get checked, you will check back, but then you eventually will be like: 'OK, I got you, I hear you.' Wagner: Well, if it's K.J., it's different … Wright: (Laughs) Advertisement Wagner: … because K.J., like he said, will come and check me, but he'll say eight words just to get to the one word. Wright: I know. Wagner: I'm like, 'Bro, just tell me what you are talking about. Like, what are you saying that I need to improve?' He'll leave like Blue's Clues. Wright: That's fair, that's fair. Wagner: I'm like, 'Damn, K.J., you could have just told me this 30 minutes ago!' I think this story might be from your eighth season, K.J. You were hurt and you didn't watch the end of team practices. Instead, you were inside rehabbing your knee. But as a linebacker group, you guys had a rule that injured players always watch the team portion of practice. Bobby came up to you and said: 'What's up, bro? You can't come out and help the guys?' And you said: 'I'm taking care of myself.' And Bobby said, 'Oh, you're taking care of yourself? If that's the case, you might as well not come out here.' And then you guys got upset at each other. Wright: (Laughs) But the point of the story was that Bobby later said, 'You have to have people around you who are willing to challenge you, and I felt like that was my moment. I felt like I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't say anything.' I wanted to hear what you guys think about that. Wagner: At the end of the day, in my opinion, that's how relationships grow. The relationship ain't a relationship in my opinion until there's a challenge. Wright: Mhm. Wagner: Because everybody can be good when things are going well. But what are you when things aren't looking good? What are you when somebody tells you something about yourself? Like K.J. said, he might come say something to me, and I might have a reaction to it in the moment. But then we'll come back and have a conversation, and I'll say, 'I just want to let you know that you were right.' You know it's coming from a place of love. Advertisement Wright: Prime example, prime example. So 2017 … This was the other story I was going to bring up. Wright: (Laughs). Bobby had an injured hamstring. I had a concussion that game so I didn't play. I was sitting there looking at this dude, and he's limping and hitching on the field before the game. He asked me how he looked. I said, 'Uh uh. No, dog, you ain't right.' He walks away from me. Alright, whatever. Fast forward, the game happens and Todd Gurley runs a little route, and Bobby is still limping and hitching. Gurley scores a touchdown. I walked up to Bobby, and I don't know what I said, but I believe Bobby interpreted it as, 'You're costing the team. You're costing us right now.' Maybe I came off that way. He comes out of the game, and I go into the locker room during the game and follow him. He said something along the lines of: 'Bro, get out of my face.' I didn't talk to him the Monday after the game, but I think Bobby called me that Tuesday and said: 'Bro, I appreciate that. Thank you for being honest.' Wagner: I think K.J. is mixing up moments, but I'll let you continue. Wright: No, no, no I'm not. (Laughs). Noooo, nuh uh. They go back and forth about the details of this for a bit. Then we get back on track. Wagner: Like I said, more times than not, when I'm wrong, I'll admit that I was wrong. I have no problem apologizing. Wright: I'll give you that. K.J., a lot of people have a hard time giving feedback that might initially upset someone, even if they know in the long run they'll be glad for it. Why do you have a hard time doing that? Wright: My mom used to get on me and press me, she'd be like: 'Son, everybody is not going to like you. You try so hard to be liked by everybody.' And I struggled with that. I was like: 'What do you mean not everybody is going to like me? I don't treat nobody bad, I'm a good person.' I've always struggled with just wanting to be liked. Not wanting to ruffle any feathers. Advertisement I remember that conversation vividly as a kid, and I remember going back and forth with her like, 'Mama, everybody needs to like me.' I guess that's my kryptonite. Or it's a gift and a curse. It can be a very positive thing, too. Wright: Right. When you're talking about leadership and having your room one day (as a coach), I can't bulls— my players. I just need to be honest with them and leave it at that and just let them take it as they want to take it. Bobby, you told me once that your mom told you, 'Make somebody smile today. Smile at somebody today.' I wanted to see if that's something you've kept with you. Wagner: That's just kind of who I am. I feel like life can be hard. We don't know what people are going through. So if they can run into somebody who can make them smile, you never know what that smile could do for somebody's day. I think that's just naturally who I am and what she did herself. Wright: I will say, I think it's a combination of natural and thoughtful. I think you're very thoughtful and intentful when it comes to making people's days. Wagner: I just remember in school there was always that kid that everybody ignored or didn't talk to, and I never understood why. So I'd just go and say what's up to them. You just never know what people are going through or what they're thinking about. Somebody like that, walking through their life feeling unseen, you just saying what's up and making them feel seen can maybe change their life. You never know. (Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Ralph Freso / Getty Images)
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Trade For Bobby Wagner Partner Urged By NFL Aanalyst
When the Washington Commanders drafted Jayden Daniels with the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, there was not an immediate expectation for the team to rise into championship contention. They learned last season that their timeline may be progressing much faster than anticipated. Instead of finding contentment in that performance, the Commanders have chosen to approach the offseason with aggression. Move after move, they have constructed an even stronger foundation under Daniels. Advertisement This started with their trade for Deebo Samuel before the start of free agency. Washington then turned to their offensive line, acquiring Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans. The Commanders followed those trades with by nailing down some necessary returns and additions through free agency. Now with a fresh class of rookies in the mix as well, they are poised to contend in the NFC again in 2025. But could they use one more move to tip the scales in their favor? In a trade first suggested by Last Word On Sports' Anthony Palacios, the Commanders could acquire Green Bay Packers' linebacker Quay Walker. "The good news is that Bobby Wagner is returning, but they did lose Dante Fowler Jr. to the Cowboys, who led the Commanders in sacks last season. Walker may be a capable replacement once Wagner eventually hangs up his cleats." Advertisement Wagner will return for another season, patrolling the middle of Dan Quinn's defense with budding star Frankie Luvu alongside him. Adding a player like Walker not only makes sense now, but for the future. The Packers have declined Walker's fifth year on his rookie contract, so they may already be looking to move off of Walker instead of losing him in free agency for nothing. Washington has already proven that they are all in on capitalizing on a championship window with Daniels these next few seasons. But a move like this to bolster their defense would leave no doubt. Related: Commanders Run Game Could Be NFL Best Related: Commanders General Manager Grades Offseason Moves
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders named best fit for former Falcons LB Matthew Judon
Last season, the Atlanta Falcons made a last-ditch effort to upgrade their pass rush by trading for former Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon in the middle of August. The trade didn't amount to much, though, as Judon finished with just 5.5 sacks. The Falcons went in a different direction this offseason, selecting two edge rushers in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. While there was initially speculation that Judon could return to Atlanta, there's no place for him at this point. The 32-year-old has yet to find a home in free agency. Advertisement released a new feature with suggestions on where the top remaining free agents should sign in 2025. Analyst Jeffri Chadiha thinks Judon would be a good fit with Dan Quinn's Washington Commanders. He has his flaws -- he turns 33 in August and only amassed 5.5 sacks in his one season with the Falcons last year -- but he also fits what Peters has been finding in free agency the last couple years. The Commanders received valuable contributions from older veterans like linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz in 2024. If Judon can give them a little boost in the pass rush, he would be just as beneficial to Washington's hopes of reaching the Super Bowl. -- Jeffri Chadiha, Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler with 72 career sacks, has little to prove after nine NFL seasons. However, it's somewhat surprising that we've reached May and no team has signed the veteran pass rusher. There's a good chance Judon is simply weighing his options and will make a choice after OTAs. Atlanta drafted Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round and signed free-agent edge Leonard Floyd. All three players are expected to elevate the team's pass rush this season. The Falcons still have former second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie, who's become the forgotten man up front. Ebiketie led the team with six sacks last season but is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Third-round pick Bralen Trice is also set to return after missing all of his rookie season. Advertisement Regardless of how the Falcons' starting lineup ends up looking on defense, they have a much healthier stable of edge rushers to work with this season than any time in recent memory. Around Falcons Wire This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Ex-Falcons LB Matthew Judon: Commanders named best fit for free agent
NBC Sports
07-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Bobby Wagner on staying with Commanders: We have unfinished business
Bobby Wagner could have hit free agency as one of the top insider linebackers available. Instead, he officially re-signed with Washington on Friday, staying on a one-year deal worth up to $9.5 million. Wagner said he never considered leaving. 'I just love what we're building here. I love the team. I feel like this is the place,' Wagner said, via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. 'You always want to be in a place where they want you to be here and they accept you. And I feel like we have unfinished business to do.' Wagner, 34, represented himself in negotiations and said he was 'pretty confident' the sides would work something out. 'It was more so just kind of sitting down and putting our heads together to make something good for both sides,' Wagner said. 'If we weren't able to get something towards free agency, I would have had to consider [other places]. But this is where I wanted to be. This is who I wanted to play for.' Wagner initially signed with the Commanders last March, getting a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million. In his first season in Washington, he played 99 percent of the snaps. He made his 10th Pro Bowl with 132 tackles, two sacks, four passes defensed, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 17 games.
