Michael Bennett: Updates And Rumors On Contract Talks With Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett’s representatives have reportedly met with the team regarding a new contract.

Michael Bennett: Updates And Rumors On Contract Talks With Seahawks

Ian Rapaport of NFL Network reported the news about the contract negotiations. Bennett, 30, still has two years remaining on the four-year, $28.5 million contract he signed in 2014. Last season, he set a career high with 52 tackles and 10 sacks, and also earned a Pro Bowl berth and the game’s defensive MVP award.

“He’s, in my opinion, probably the top defensive end in the NFL,” 49ers left tackle Joe Staley said, per John Boyle of the Seahawks’ official website. “He does so many different things, so he’s hard to prepare for. It’s hard to describe it too, it’s kind of a slipperiness. It’s hard to get your hands on him. He does a good job of controlling his body and fighting off blocks and taking away your game plan against him.”

Bennett has been pushing for a new deal behind the scenes. He fired agent Drew Rosenhaus in favor of Doug Hendrickson, who a year ago successfully negotiated a reworked deal for running back Marshawn Lynch, which earned Lynch an additional $5 million in 2015.

Bennett isn’t the only Seahawks player looking for a better deal, however. Safety Kam Chancellor is also looking to renegotiate his contract.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,’’ Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “Really, the guys who are under contract can’t be the first-priority guys right now, in any order. We are really digging in, trying to keep our team together. And that will always be the way we go about it. We love Kam and Mike—the question, you brought that up—we love those guys. And we are going to do all we can to make sure they can stay with us.”

Seattle is already reportedly paying for big new contracts for Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, and Bobby Wagner, so the team will only have so much money left to pay out.

If Bennett does end up getting what he wants, it will probably come at the expense of someone else on the roster.

Caption: GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 03: Running back David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the football in front of defensive end Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 36-6. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)