Seahawks lack cap flexibility to appease Michael Bennett
By Keith Myers
Michael Bennett wants, and deserves, a new contract. The Seattle Seahawks simply don’t have the ability to give him what he wants.
Michael Bennett is unhappy about his current contract. If this feels a bit like Deja Vu, that’s because this is exactly the same place we were a year ago. The Seattle Seahawks told him “no” then, and he decided not to hold out. This year, things may be different.
Bennett signed a four year, $32 million contract back in 2014. It was slightly below the market rate at the time, and since then the market for pass rushers has exploded.
Oliver Vernon and Malik Jackson, two players that have never even made a Pro Bowl, both signed a massive 5 year deals worth over $85 million. Both of those contracts have significantly more guaranteed money in them than the total value of Bennett’s deal.
Bennett is undeniably better that either of those two players. His contract is only two years old, and it is already a dinosaur. Given how short NFL careers are, and that Bennett has spent most of his career on a contract that he signed as an undrafted free agent, it is easy to understand why Bennett wants a new deal.
Bennett is skipping the team’s organized team activities (OTAs) again this year. The workouts are technically optional, but this is still a form of protest. It is unsaid, but his actions are a threat that he’ll sit out in training camp and perhaps into the regular season.
There are a lot of elements to this issue. I’m sure we will delve into many of them before training camp opens. The Kam Chancellor angle is an entire article all on it’s own.
Financially, there is very little the Seahawks can do. According to Over The Cap, they have only $9,595,724 in cap room to work with. That is before any potential contract for Tarvaris Jackson. It also doesn’t include potential contract extensions for players like Doug Baldwin, Luke Willson and Steven Hauschka.
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Keep in mind that the Seahawks also cannot spend all of that cap space before the season begins. They must keep a reserve to play practice squad players and players signed mid-season when guys are placed on Injured reserve.
Michael Bennett wants a raise. He deserves a raise. Just don’t expect the Seahawks to give him one.