Eagles will either trade or release DE Michael Bennett
8 March 2019 Uncategorized
All indications at the moment are, defensive end Michael Bennett will not be on the Eagles going forward. Today, made public by Bennett on Good Morning Football, Bennett made it known, he does not want a pay cut, he wants a raise. Knowing that the Eagles cannot afford to do so, making him a member to be traded or cut.
Adding fuel to the fire, a recent report has now made it clear, the Eagles are trying to trade Bennett and if he cannot be traded, they’ll release him. Either move saves the Eagles $7.2 million.
“The Eagles have discussed the possibility of trading Bennett with other teams, according to multiple NFL sources,” McLane writes. “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.”
Last season, Bennett was the Eagles best defensive end, having 68 total quarterback pressures which led to nine sacks. An area which seemingly digressed this season, Bennett was the bright spot and as the season grew on, Bennett really settled down into his role on his new team.
However, in McLane’s report, he also notes that Bennett is not willing to be a rotating defensive end and that’s part of the reason he wants to be traded. With Derek Barnett coming back to claim his spot and Brandon Graham starting on the other side, that what is lining up for him to do next season. If he is really unwilling to have that kind of role, then it can make sense. He thinks he is better than that role and he thinks he is worth more than that. The Eagles really would give him the opportunity to get what he thinks he is worth elsewhere as there is no penalty, they’ll get all their money back.
This move has nothing to do with his production and all to do about his cap number. At his age, the Eagles would rather move on and get younger at the position. Even though they just extended defensive end, Graham, the Eagles are looking to get younger at defensive end. They’ll definitely look to their day one or two draft picks to add a player at this position.
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