Seahawks

Michael Bennett Confirms He’s Asked Seahawks For New Deal, Wants To Be Paid As A Top-8 DE

May 29, 2015

Seahawks DE Michael Bennett confirmed that he has asked the team for a new contract during a dinner in for his foundation Friday night.

“Trying to get the contract right,’’ said Bennett, when asked about skipping the first three OTAs this week, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “I’ll be there shortly. I don’t know when I’ll be there. Depends on the team and stuff. See how it works out.’’

As far as what he’s looking for in terms of his next contract, Bennett said that he would like to be paid as a top-eight defensive end.

“Somewhere near the top seven at my position, top eight at my position,’’ Bennett said. “Not a lot of guys play inside and out (meaning both tackle and end). Not a lot of guys do what I do. So I feel like I should be somewhere near there.’’

If Seattle were to acquiesce Bennett’s request of being paid in the top eight players at his position, they’re looking at paying him an annual salary of around $10 million.

Bennett added that he still sees himself playing for the season, but is still hoping to come away with a raise.

“I see myself being with the Seahawks,’’ Bennett said. “I think we have something special here and the things that we do in the community, the players that we have and the team and the coaches. I think it’s a great organization. But at the end of the day, it’s all about the business part of it, and sometimes people see your value as something else and sometimes you see your value as something different, and it’s just part of the business.

“. … We’ll see what happens. The ideal situation would be that I get a raise and that will be something great.’’

Bennett, 29, signed four-year, $32 million contract that included $16 million guaranteed with the Seahawks in March of last year. He still has another three years remaining on the agreement to go along with base salaries of $6 million (2015), $4 million (2016), and $6 million (2017).

In 2014, Bennett appeared in all 16 games and recorded 39 tackles, seven sacks, and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 2 defensive end in a 4-3 defense out of 59 qualifying players.