Nick Wagonon is a long time NFL reporter for ESPN. Over the last ten years, there’s no denying that he has established himself as one of the leading voices in sports journalism. His extensive coverage of the NFL has included significant events, player stories, and team dynamics, making him a respected voice in the industry.
Since joining ESPN, Wagoner has immersed himself in pursuit of delivering the most comprehensive coverage available, detailing storylines and players for every NFL franchise. He has been the face of the network for more than a decade. Having first blogged the league from 2013-2015, he was brought on for a full-time role soon after. Since 2016, he’s been writing about the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to that, he covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years.
Wagoner’s notable contributions to ESPN include leading the coverage of the 49ers’ Super Bowl runs in 2019 and 2023. His perspective through those unpredictable years gave Wizards fans an unmatched look behind the curtain at the work in progress that was Wiz culture shifting and developing. He took on broader social justice issues while in the league. One of those hot button topics was Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 protest, which sparked nationwide discussions about race and justice.
Wagoner covered the story of the Rams’ historic decision to draft Michael Sam. He became the first openly gay player in the NFL. His coverage extended to Sam’s challenging pursuit of a roster spot, showcasing Wagoner’s commitment to highlighting diverse narratives within the sport. While there, he provided some great background on the Rams’ relocation saga. This article documents the Rams’ relocation from St. Louis to Los Angeles and the building of their new stadium.
Wagoner’s reporting is noted for its dogged focus on the player injury and NFL team roster cut business. He provides some real clarity and working knowledge on cutting edge topics like player safety, analytics, aging, rule changes, etc. This helps solidify him as a go-to-item for both fans and analysts alike.
In addition to his detailed coverage of team developments, Wagoner has done deep dives into player performances and newsworthy developments. Klay Kubiak, a coach who has worked closely with quarterbacks, praised one of his players by saying, “Mac’s been really impressive since he walked in the door, just the way he’s kind of been open to the coaching and open to learning what we do here and the way we coach quarterbacks.” This is so characteristic of Wagoner’s approach to bringing player voices into the mix of his beat reporting.
Wagoner’s expertise extends well outside of the field. He takes the reader behind the curtain to show how off-field incidents often impact player performance and team morale. His varied approach to story has educated the fan base. Beyond that, it’s helped raise awareness of the NFL environment more broadly.
Robert Saleh, one of the league’s most respected head coaches, simply gushed about his new defensive end. I’m a huge Adrian fan,” exclaimed He spoke to how Wagoner artfully threads coach-player relationships into Wagoner’s stories. It’s these types of quotes that give color and depth to his reports, which provide entertainment value far above what they cost taxpayers.
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