Rumor: Seahawks’ Michael Bennett Does Want To Be Traded After All
By Paul Novak
Arguably the Seattle Seahawks’ best defensive lineman, Michael Bennett and his agents have told the team that they want a trade.
JLC, who called the Frank Clark pick the morning of, link on TL, says Michael Bennett & his agents have made it clear he wants to be traded.
— DAVIS HSU (@DavisHsuSeattle) May 6, 2015
We’ve heard this rumor about a month ago and it was hard to believe at the time. Bennett later spoke with ESPN and denied ever requesting a trade. Now that it is resurfacing, it makes it a little easier to think there is some truth to the rumors.
Jason La Canfora is an NFL reporter that holds much credibility when it comes to reporting on the Seattle Seahawks. A day before Seattle selected Frank Clark in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft, La Confora reported the pick. He was also the first to report the Marshawn Lynch extension and despite many others saying that a Russell Wilson deal was close, La Canfora pumped the brakes on that and as we all know, Wilson is still unsigned.
La Canfora’s comments regarding the situation:
"He’s kinda sorta tried to say that he didn’t really want to be dealt after all, but that’s not flying anywhere. He and his agent have made it clear he’d rather not be back in Seattle and while the Seahawks aren’t ones to back down, perhaps something emerges that makes sense for all parties prior to the start of the regular season. Kind of odd not to be so happy in a franchise that competes for a Lombardi Trophy, and until or unless the Seahawks put out explicit word that Bennett has permission to speak to other teams, I don’t see any clubs nibbling in this era of hyper-sensitivity over tampering regulations. But there’s a lot of time between now and September for something to perhaps change."
Michael Bennett is still under contract for three more seasons with the Seahawks, having signed a four-year extension last offseason for $32 million.
Not many 12’s want to see Bennett go. He’s been arguably the most productive defensive linemen the past two seasons, having totaled 15.5 sacks and constantly pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
Seattle’s front office holds all of the leverage here as well. With three years and roughly $7 million per year owed to Bennett, it’s not likely that a team would give up much in a trade and then offer to renegotiate a deal.
John Schneider and Pete Carroll aren’t in the business of letting their best players leave for less than their worth… unless of course the situation turns into another Percy Harvin fiasco.