GREEN BAY, Wisc., (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- He played at West Allis Hale and the University of Wisconsin. Now Rick Wagner's NFL journey brings him to the Packers.
Wagner attended a couple of Packers preseason games and training camps as a kid. The former Lion and Raven signed a two-year deal in free agency with the Packers and now he joins an exclusive club: Guys who played high school, college and pro football in the state of Wisconsin.
“I mean, it's a true honor of getting to play here. I love the state of Wisconsin. I never want to leave, so I'm very happy to be home. It's definitely cool. In the NFL, you really can't choose where you go. You are happy to have a job, really anywhere," he says. "I had a great time in Baltimore and Detroit. I was really happy about my experiences at both places, but you know at this point in my career I'm really happy to be here. It's definitely a special place.”
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur likes what he's seeing early on from Wagner.
“First of all, he's got a ton of experience. I know he battled through some things last year, but just, you know a veteran presence and it seems he's about the right things," LaFleur says. "He fits in the locker room really wellh; e fits in the O-line really well. I've been impressed with him.”
When Bryan Bulaga left in free agency for the Chargers, the Packers had an opening as a starting right tackle. Wagner is taking nothing for granted.
“Every year it's a competition at every position you know. There's no guarantees you're gonna start anywhere, so just kind of go out there and prove that I can," Wagner says. "I'm happy for the opportunity.”
Wagner has experience in the outside zone offense from his days in Baltimore. He thinks he’s a good fit for the Packers, but he does admit this unique offseason presents a challenge.
“Having no preseason this year is definitely different. I kind of want to get out there and have a dress rehearsal before your first game, but it's just going to put a lot more importance on our practices against each other," he says.
Wagner says that TJ Lang, the former Packers guard who was his teammate on the Lions, had nothing but great things to say about playing in Green Bay.