LA Rams Rumors: Yes, they do have ILB Bobby Wagner on their radar

The LA Rams rumors have come and gone this year so far. So how can you tell when it’s just smoke, and when it is smoldering embers, and finally when it all bursts into an open flame?

There are three stages to NFL rumors. There is the stage where fans and speculators talk about a player in a ‘wouldn’t it be nice if…?’ sort of way. That is more wishful thinking and scenario analysis than bonafide rumors. Many of the eventual trade talks begin from the what if…? chatter that continuously runs in the background throughout the course of an NFL season

Then there is the second stage where NFL Insiders report on discussions held within a team or with a player’s agent regarding any mutual interest. Of course, that is when things feel like they are getting hot, likely leaked by the team or the player’s agent to create a buzz, and either heat up the market (agent sourced). If it’s sourced from the team, it’s oftentimes an indication that the two sides are getting closer.

3rd Stage? You are here…

The third stage, and one where it gets serious, is when a person in a position of authority with the team, mentions the name of a player. Will it translate into a competitive offer? Will it mean that the name was voted down?  You decide. But the fact of the matter is that the LA Rams certainly did mention Bobby Wagner’s name, and that means that the idea is on their offseason strategy whiteboard.

When did LA Rams general manager Les Snead say this? Rather than just tell you, I’ll let you see for yourself. You can check it out at the 11:20 mark in the video below.

And so GM Les Snead, HC Sean McVay, and the defensive coaching staff sat down and analyzed the play of ILB Bobby Wagner. Of course, he left the door open as to whether the LA Rams have an interest or not. Will they or won’t they? That is the question.

Will they or won’t they?

To get that answer, let’s turn back to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, who shared that the LA Rams did express early interest in Wagner. He voiced that the Rams were expected to have interest in Bobby Wagner. Do they?

So what is the story? LA Rams GM Les Snead does not broadcast his intentions.  In fact, the LA Rams are notorious Ninja-like when it comes to what they plan to do. But the team is a bit patterned in their off-season approach.  Historically, the Rams have a flurry of extensions, signing one or two free agents, and then sit back, prepare for a vital NFL Draft, load up the roster, but prepare to strike if and when an intriguing player shows up on the NFL waiver wire.

The LA Rams know that there are 31 other NFL teams jockeying for position, willing to take any advantage possible to land their targeted player. And so, the Rams countenance remains stoic. In short, they stick with a poker face. Is Bobby Wagner in the LA Rams future? C’est la vie in the NFL.