Michael Bennett is preparing to trek to Philadelphia and join the defending Super Bowl champions, but the Eagles’ most recent opponent made a strong push to bring the defensive end to New England.
The Patriots are believed to have made a last-ditch effort to acquire Bennett from the Seahawks, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports they did so after the team had essentially completed their deal with the Eagles.
It’s unclear precisely what the Patriots offered, but it’s believed to have been better than the fifth-round pick/Marcus Johnson package the Seahawks will receive from the Eagles. Diana Russini of ESPN reported on Wednesday a third team stalled this deal, and the Patriots — one of a few additional teams interested in Bennett — look to have been the team that did so.
However, the Seahawks did not want to go back on a verbal agreement with the Eagles. The sides finalized the trade on Tuesday morning, per Rapoport. And Martellus Bennett, whom the Patriots are cutting, was ready to reduce his salary to help make room for his brother, Rapoport reports.
“The Bennett brothers were going nuts trying to get it somehow so they could play together on the Patriots,” Rapoport said during an appearance on NFL Up to the Minute. “I know Martellus Bennett was talking about taking less salary, trying to stick around so the Patriots could then trade for his brother. … Now, from what I am told, this was basically done, a done deal between the Seahawks and Eagles. Then the Patriots came in late and said ‘Well, maybe we’ll give you this’ — a little bit better draft-pick compensation.
“The problem was the deal was basically already done. … The Seahawks are honorable people and they did the deal that was basically consummated earlier.”
So, rather than deal with their Super Bowl XLIX opponent, the Seahawks opted to send the 32-year-old defensive end to a conference team, thus denying the Bennett brothers a chance to play on the same team for the first time since their days at Texas A&M.
The Patriots did manage to increase their sack numbers last season compared to their 2016 effort, but Bennett would have provided a clear upgrade for a team that’s steadily seen some core edge components stripped.
Dang. Bennett would’ve been a good fit.
Not worth the headaches.
You see the problem is you’re looking at his skin color and the fact that he’s outspoken and not his statistics. And the Pats already had his brother so what’s the problem?
By “outspoken” I guess you mean that he’s a proven liar? And where does Mack83 say anything about his skin color?
Exactly. People like yoyo disgust me.
Why exactly? Is it because of your politics or because I stated a fact? It is well known that if people are talking about “headaches” for players who talk about social injustice, they probably just want them to shut up and play football. If you got a problem with me let me know pal don’t buddy up with this guy you can tell me personally
“Proven liar”? I guess you were in Vegas for that incident with the police then? You saw it all firsthand?
Well there is a video…
You see, you’re the problem in America. I’m not sure where I ever mentioned his race. GTFO of her douche.
Here*
Then what do you mean by “headache”?
Hey Mack83, I echo what Seattlehof24 is saying. Why then is he a headache? Please elaborate instead of getting fed up and cursing since you’re not using any logic.
yoyo137 = Another Moronic AzzClown Idiot
Elaborate
You are an idiot
Funny that this idiot mentions race when Bennett is set to release his recently published book titled “Things That Make White People Uncomfortable.”
Well Michael Bennett speaking tends to make white people uncomfortable judging by these comments. Calm down and stop being so damn sensitive, you’re on an online sports forum where people post their opinions. I know enough to know exactly where your comments are coming from bud.
I’m not white, I’m American Indian
Please expand on this claim
Nice to know the Seahawks aren’t the Mariners.
I’d imagine the Pats can open talks for Sherman now if the Seahawks liked their offer