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Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox called the Dallas Cowboys one of the best two free agent fits for linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Quite a few NFL pundits have identified the Dallas Cowboys as a great landing spot for veteran inside linebacker Bobby Wagner.
On Saturday, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox joined the crowd. Knox named the Cowboys one of his two best free agency fits for Wagner.
“Wagner can still man the linebacker position better than most. This past season, he racked up 162 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, four passes defended, and two interceptions,” wrote Knox.
“Given his age, Wagner would make the most sense for a team with serious Super Bowl aspirations …
“The Cowboys would also make sense for Wagner, given their need for defensive improvements and lack of quality linebacker depth.”
In his 14-year NFL career, Wagner has posted 2,000 combined tackles.
The past two seasons, Wagner played for the Washington Commanders. In 2025, he racked up 162 combined tackles, including eight tackles for loss with nine quarterback hits, 4.5 sacks, four pass defenses and two interceptions.
In 14 seasons, Wagner has earned about $118.5 million.
How Bobby Wagner Could Fit With the Cowboys
Other than the Cowboys, Knox named the Los Angeles Rams the best fit for Wagner.
The linebacker will turn 36 years old in June. It would probably make the most sense for him to play for a contender next season.
The Rams became the Super Bowl favorite for a lot of pundits when they aggressively addressed their secondary early in NFL free agency. Los Angeles could further shore up its defense with Wagner.
The former All-Pro linebacker has already played for the Rams in his career, so he should fit right in. During 2022, Wagner posted 140 combined tackles with six sacks while making second-team All-Pro with the Rams.
That was the first season away from the Seattle Seahawks in Wagner’s career. The linebacker returned to the Seahawks in 2023 before then signing with Washington.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Wagner plans to play his 15th NFL season this fall.
In Dallas, though, Wagner would be a terrific fit because of the Cowboys’ need to improve in practically all areas defensively. An experienced, veteran inside linebacker might be one of the faster ways for the Cowboys to quickly improve defensively.
With Wagner, Dallas wouldn’t have to address linebacker early in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cowboys would still have that option, but they could also draft a linebacker on Day 2. That linebacker could then develop behind Wagner for a year.
In addition to 2,000 tackles, Wagner has 107 tackles for loss, 39.5 sacks, 76 pass defenses and 15 interceptions in 219 career games. He’s made first-team All-Pro six times.
Wagner has also earned five second-team All-Pro honors, with his most recently in 2024.
Could the Cowboys Still Add a Linebacker & Defensive Tackle in NFL Free Agency
Wagner wasn’t the only veteran Knox linked to the Cowboys on Saturday. Knox also named Dallas the best fit for defensive tackle D.J. Reader.
“Reader would be a great addition for the Dallas Cowboys, who traded away Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas. He could serve as a run-stuffing specialist behind Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams to help boost a defense that allowed 4.7 yards per carry in 2025,” wrote Knox.
Of the two, Wagner would fill the bigger need. Reader could upgrade the Cowboys run defense, but Dallas needs to find more ways to stop the pass.
Wagner would help in both areas.
Along the defensive line, Quinnen Williams should be a great help against the run. Dallas acquired Williams at the 2025 NFL trade deadline, which led to great improvement versus the run for the Cowboys during the second half of last season.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
