Da’Quan Bowers Arrest Could Factor Into The Buccaneers Plan For Michael Bennett

Ira Kaufman tweets that the recent arrest of Buccaneers DE Da’Quan Bowers “certainly improves the bargaining leverage” of impending free agent DE Michael Bennett.

Reports from last night indicated that Bowers could be facing a minimum sentence of 3.5 years in prison. Plaxico Burress wound up serving 20 months for a similar charge, but there’s a chance that Bowers could receive a reduced sentence given that he informed people at the airport that he was carrying a load weapon.

While Tampa Bay’s front office has hinted that they prepared to be active again this offseason, it seems more likely that they’ll shift their focus to their own free agents versus looking to the open market for solutions to positions of need.

Bennett, 27, figures to be at the top of the team’s offseason to-do list and could be a candidate for their franchise tag. This designation would run the Bucs close to $11 million for the 2013 season, but they would still have ability to negotiate a long-term contract with Bennett. He figures to test the open market if he doesn’t receive the franchise tag by March 4.

We have Bennett listed as the No. 14 best available free agent in our Top 50 Free Agents list.