Rams, top tackler Bobby Wagner agree to part ways

Bobby Wagner had a short but productive stint with the Rams.

Wagner, the team’s lead tackler last season, and the Rams have agreed to part ways, people with knowledge of the situation said Thursday.

The individuals requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about a situation that will not become official until Wagner is fired at the start of the NFL’s new league year in mid-March.

Wagner, 32, signed with the Rams after the Seattle Seahawks fired the six-time All-Pro on the same day they traded quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.

Wagner, an 11th-year pro, had the team’s best 140 tackles, career-high six sacks, two pass interceptions and a wise lead. But that wasn’t enough to help the Rams avoid a 5-12 finish, the worst season-after-performance by a Super Bowl champion in NFL history.

Wagner signed a five-year, $50 million deal, but it was essentially structured as a one- to two-year deal. He should be carrying a $12.5 million salary cap in 2023, according to overthecap.com.

The Rams are expected to make more roster moves as they prepare to begin free agency and the draft.