Adrian Fedkiw
Michael Bennett has heard the rumblings, on Friday he had his chance to respond to them.
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Bennett was on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football to discuss the trade rumors surrounding him.
Michael Bennett on GMFB this morning: "I'm not willing to take a pay cut. I actually want a pay raise at this point, and whatever happens just know that whatever team I go to I want to get paid more than I get paid right now." pic.twitter.com/osdCKtCxc9
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) March 8, 2019
Bennett, who is set to make $7.2 million in 2019, recognized the Eagles’ lack of salary cap funds during his segment, but stated that he would not take a pay cut.
“I’m not willing to take a pay cut. I actually want a pay raise at this point, and just know that whatever team I go to, I want to be paid more than I’m getting paid right now.”
At the end of the day the NFL is a business and Bennett understands that.
“I don’t know what’s happening with the Eagles. Of course you want to be with the team you’re with, but at the same time it’s a business, and you want to be able to make money whenever you get the opportunities to. And I feel like if you’re on the trading block it’s just a part of the game, but at the same time I still know I’m still one of the best players in the NFL.
You look at statistically last year, quarterback hits, TFLs and how I approach the game, I love football and whatever team I’m on, I’m going to take that same attitude and go out there and be a nasty player and try to dominate that defensive line and be the best teammate and best player I can possibly be.”
A lot of the premier defensive ends that were slated to hit the free agent market have been franchise tagged, so there could be some value out there for the Eagles in a trade.
I’d also expect Bennett to get the pay raise he desires. The 33-year-old Bennett was second on the team last year with nine sacks, was second in the NFL in quarterback hits and was 21st out of 109 edge defenders in pressure rate, according to Pro Football Focus.
I would’ve liked to try and bring Bennett back considering the consistent production he showed last year, but the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane is saying that he’s going to be gone.
The Eagles have discussed the possibility of trading Bennett with other teams, according to multiple NFL sources. The team’s leverage in negotiations is that it could bring him back for 2019, but two sources close to the situation said Bennett will eventually be released, barring something unforeseen, in lieu of a deal.
We’ll see what type of compensation Howie Roseman can get for him.