The Eagles are trading defensive end Michael Bennett to the Patriots, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter). Philadelphia will acquire a 2020 fifth-round pick while New England will receive Bennett and a 2020 seventh-rounder, tweets McLane.
Philadelphia acquired Bennett for a fifth-round pick last year. The Pats attempted to land Bennett from the Seahawks last year; they will make the move a year later, in advance of the versatile defensive lineman’s age-34 season.
Lately, we’ve heard that the Eagles were planning to trade or release Bennett to improve their cap situation. Usually, when a talented player is involved, teams will ask that player to accept a pay cut. On Friday morning, Bennett went on national television to explain that he would not entertain such an offer. In fact, he made it known that he is expecting a raise from his $7.2MM salary for 2019.
It’s not immediately clear whether the Patriots will accommodate his request. Given their track record, it seems unlikely.
In any event, the Patriots have successfully safeguarded themselves against the potential loss of Trey Flowers. Flowers projects as one of the most highly-coveted free agents when the market opens up on Thursday and the Pats are not expected to outbid the competition.
In Bennett, the Patriots acquired a skilled sack artist, albeit one who is several years older than Flowers. Last year, Bennett amassed nine sacks for Philly, giving him his highest total since 2015. The three-time Pro Bowler has 63 career sacks to his name across nine NFL seasons.
well bye bye trey flowers
Bad move. Bad locker room guy. I bet the pats eventually cut him
He is a cancer to a locker room. Oh God no
The Patriots have great success with guys like this. It wouldn’t shock me if he has 10 sacks next year.
Albert Haynesworth begs to differ.
Goes to Philly, does his job at quality level, while being a good teammate, yet he a cancer. YAWN
He was a great teammate in Seattle until he signed his second contract. He played 2 years still a good teammate. After year 2 wanted a raise sound familiar? He turned into a cancer. Did everything he could to be a pain. Was one of the leaders in the Wilson isn’t black enough crap. Then a bunch of other stupid crap.
This isn’t locker room stuff but do you remember Las Vegas? Sounds like shooting cops show he is hiding behind a slot machine. Cops tell him to stand with his hands up. He runs like an idiot. They catch and cuff him and put him in the car. He pulls the do you know whip I am crap. They let him go after they realize it wasn’t gun shots and who he was. He turns around and sues them for false arrest and too much physical force. All until the cop cam is released. He then goes on about black lives matter etc on the locker room. Had issues with other players including black players because of the way he acted. He was one of my favorite players until he turned on the team. He will be good for a year or two then will get upset about money or something else. He still turn on the Pats too.
Sorry it was 2 years of a 5 year deal. John and Pete have never negotiated a new contract until the last year. It it’s a practice they don’t follow with anyone.
“After they release who he was” is the biggest problem with this. He was racially profiled during an evacuation.
Enough with the bad mouthing of this guy.
That only happens to guys on bad teams so… we’re safe
Given that they re-signed Graham and are going to draft D-Line players and are trying to give Chris Long more snaps, this is a no-brainer. Especially since it will trim $7+MM in cap money.
The Eagles were going to cut him if unable to trade him so this is icing on the cake.
Absolutely love the move
D-wade is a bears fan
That sucks. Can’t stand Bennett, or his brother. Would rather see NE overpay for Flowers and Hightower
So the Pats are not even trading this year’s draft picks? It is next year’s draft?
I think that is a typo. Should be 2019 draft picks.
Both the Eagles and Patriots picked involved are 2020 picks.
I like it. Gets your a replacement if you can’t sign flowers plus martellus wants to come back and that will help the pats and gronk, even if it’s for 1 year.
Buuu byyyyeeee
Gone in 3…2…1…
These boards need better moderation
Weekend moderation is weaker. The full editorial team work office hours.
And yet I had legitimate non-inflammatory posts deleted numerous times…SMH