Seahawks DE Michael Bennett Won’t Hold Out Despite Dissatisfaction With Contract

Michael Bennett is not happy with his current contract, but also says he has no plans to hold out of training camp, the Seattle Seahawks defensive end told ESPN Seattle’s “Brock and Salk” show.

Seahawks DE Michael Bennett Won’t Hold Out

“Why wouldn’t I be at training camp?” Bennett said on the show. “Of course I’ll be there. I’ll see you there for sure.”

Bennett, who finished with 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss last season, signed a four-year, $28.5 million contract extension during the 2014 offseason after his first season with the Seahawks. He considered holding out last offseason but said his wife didn’t let him.

“Any American wants to get paid more at their job,” Bennett, 30, said. “I don’t think there’s anybody that goes to work and says: ‘Hey, I’m happy with how much I’m getting paid, and I love it. Don’t give me any more money.’ So that’s how I feel too.”

The defensive end also added that he loves the city of Seattle, and thus wants to remain there as long as possible. Bennett also recently criticized Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford for his brief holdout after he demanded a trade last month.

“I listened to Sam Bradford again. I just almost threw up,” Bennett stated. “I can’t believe Sam Bradford is complaining about making $40 million in the next two years, and because he actually has to compete for a position. This guy, this guy right here definitely sets a bad tone of what a player should be.”

Bennett then continued: “If I was his teammate … how can you play with a guy that doesn’t want to compete at a high level and feels like his position should be solidified without even putting up the stats or the wins to back that up?”

Bradford, traded to Philadelphia last year, made 14 starts for the Eagles, with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions; the team was 7-7 with him at quarterback. In his career, Bradford, the No. 1 pick in 2010, is 25-37-1 with 78 touchdowns and 52 interceptions, and zero postseason appearances. The Eagles signed Bradford to a two-year extension earlier this year, a $36 million deal with $26 million guaranteed.

Bennett earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2015. He signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2009 after playing collegiately at Texas A&M.

The Seahawks and Eagles are scheduled to meet at CenturyLink Field in Seattle in Week 11 next season.

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)