Eagles Planning To Trade Or Release DE Michael Bennett

Update:

Jeff McLane of Philly.com reports that the Eagles plan to either trade DE Michael Bennett or release him outright if there’s no deal to be made. 

Eagles DE Michael Bennett was asked about the reports that he’s on the trade block this offseason during an appearance on “Good Morning Football” Friday. 

Bennett says he understands the Eagles are in a tough cap situation and that players end up on the trade block, but he isn’t looking to take a pay cut and is actually looking for a pay increase. 

“I don’t know what’ happening with the Eagles. Of course you always wanna be with the team that you played with,” Bennett said, via NJ.com. “But at the same time, I know it’ a business and you want to be able to make money whenever you get the opportunities to. I feel like if you’re on the trading block, it’s part of the game. But I still know that I”m one of the best players in the NFL …

“You always caught off guard when your name is brought up in the trade block but you understand that people want to acquire your services. We in a tough situation as far as the salary cap, I’m not willing to take a pay cut. I actually want a pay raise at this point.

“I just know at this point whatever team I go to I want to get paid more than I am now.

Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that while the Eagles are content to keep Bennett, they’re also keeping their options open and exploring potential trades. 

“The thinking (in shopping him), as I understand it, is the Eagles are happy to keep Michael Bennett,” Pelissero said. “But with all those guys who have been tagged, and the fact that there aren’t a lot of front-line pass rushers available in free agency, maybe they can actually get value by moving Michael Bennett as well. So they are exploring those options.”

This comes after Geoff Mosher reported earlier in the week that the Eagles discussed potential trades at the Combine involving Bennett and gauged his market value.

According to Mosher, Bennett’s $7.2 million and $8 million cap figures over the next two years are considered a bargain by market-value standards and he could be an option for teams that don’t have exorbitant cap space.

The Eagles recently re-signed DE Brandon Graham and have a number of pass rushers over 30 years old so it’s likely they will be looking to get younger and cheaper at the position this offseason.

Bennett, 33, began his NFL career with the Buccaneers and spent four years in Tampa Bay before signing on with the Seahawks as a free agent back in 2013. Seattle signed him to a new four-year, $39 million contract before trading him to the Eagles last year. 

Bennett stands to make base salaries of $6 million and $7 million over the next two years of the agreement.

According to OverTheCap.com, trading Bennett would free up $7.2 million of available cap space while creating $1 million in dead money. 

In 2018, Bennett appeared in all 16 games for the Eagles and recorded 34 tackles, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 21 edge rusher out of 103 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Bennett as the news is available.