Seahawks DE Michael Bennett mentioned during an interview with ESPN 710 Seattle Tuesday that he has no plans to hold out for a new contract this summer, and will instead be in attendance for training camp.
“Why wouldn’t I be at training camp?” Bennett said when asked if he would show up for camp, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “I’ll see you there for sure.”
Bennett admitted that he would like to be better compensated than he is in his current agreement.
“Any American wants to get paid more at their job,’’ Bennett said. “I don’t think there’s anybody who goes to work who says, ‘I’m happy with how much I’m getting paid, and I love it. Don’t give me any more money.’ That’s how I feel, too.”
Last week, Seahawks GM John Schneider told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that he doesn’t get the impression that Bennett is fine with his contract.
“I don’t get the impression he’s fine with his contract,’‘ Schneider said. “But I think he recognizes it’s a team sport, and I’m sure he sees a couple of his teammates who have one year left on their contracts. He has two left on his. We have a couple guys that are going to be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season that we’d like to try to take care of as well.”
There had been talk dating back to last year that Bennett could be a holdout candidate, considering that he believes he’s outplayed his current contract. However, it appears as though this won’t be an issue for the Seahawks this summer.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported a few months ago that Bennett’s agent met with Seahawks’ brass about a new deal, but there hasn’t been any buzz about a new contract since then.
Bennett, 30, signed four-year, $32 million contract that included $16 million guaranteed with the Seahawks a few years ago. He still has another two years remaining on his contract to go along with base salaries of $4 million (2016), and $6 million (2017).
In 2015, Bennett appeared in all 16 games and recorded 52 tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 5 edge defender out 110 qualifying players.
We’ll have more a new deal for Bennett as the news is available.
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