The Seattle Seahawks have been burned a couple of times when players represent themselves in contract negotiations.
It first occurred when offensive lineman Russell Okung acted as his own agent back in 2016 and ended up signing with the Denver Broncos. Then, two years later, cornerback Richard Sherman went into contract talks without representation, and he ultimately inked a deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
Now, the Seahawks seem to be going through that again, as linebacker Bobby Wagner is choosing to represent himself while trying to land an extension with the club.
Seattle general manager John Schneider is a bit wary of Wagner's decision, saying that it's a bit awkward to negotiate on those terms.
“I guess we are the team to do it with you know?’’ said Schneider, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. “Negotiating, it’s not fun, you know what I mean? And anytime you do them with a player you are going to have those conversations that are very direct, very blunt, and it’s a process you have to go through.”
Wagner has long been one of the best linebackers in football and is a staple on the Seahawks' defense, so Schneider is not wild about the idea of having to have such serious discussions with him:
“I look at it like it’s kind of like a necessary evil,” he added. “I’ve never been involved with anybody in 27 years of doing this where you come out of a negotiation and everybody feels like it just totally, ‘boy that was amazing’ you know what I mean? It never really happens that way.’’
Wagner is entering 2019 on the final year of his deal.
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