Bobby Wagner explains why he chose the Rams over the Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens were one of two finalists for All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner this offseason before he opted to sign with the Los Angeles Rams.

Despite the Ravens offering more money over the first two years of the contract, Wagner decided to return home to Los Angeles to join the Rams.

Wagner recently made an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show where he spoke about his decision to join the Rams. What was it that made Wagner snub the Ravens?

Was it money? Was it their pitch? Or was it simply because Wagner wanted to go home? He explained the following to McAfee when asked about the Ravens’ offer.

"“It was probably between the Ravens and the Rams. They both made a big push at the end and ultimately i decided to come home. I think that was the biggest thing, just staying close to my family. I had been on the West Coast for close to 10 years. I was already going to have a big change going to a new organization, and I didn’t want to figure out another coast. West Coast and being close to my family was probably the ulltimate decision.”"

Bobby Wagner chose home over the Ravens

At least according to Wagner, the reasoning behind his decision seems pretty cut and dry. He chose home over the Ravens. It wasn’t money, it wasn’t team fit — it was strictly because he wanted to be close to his family.

You can’t fault the man for that. Now is all of this true or was he just being cordial? That will probably never be answered. All we can do is take his words at face value.

What we do know is that the Ravens did offer more money to Wagner upfront with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that Baltimore was willing to pay $18 million over the first two years as compared to the $17.5 million he’s making with the Rams.

The Rams reportedly offered more in incentives and, of course, offered the possibility to remain on the West Coast and play closer to home. All of that was too much for him to pass up.

The Ravens will instead search for other upgrades at the linebacker position, potentially in the 2022 NFL Draft, while continuing to scour the free-agent market for potential additions.

It would have been amazing to see Bobby Wagner in purple and black this season. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be.