The 3-time Pro Bowl defensive end is about to join his fourth team in his 10-year career. According to Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Jeff McLane, the Philadelphia Eagles are sending their veteran defensive and a 2020 seventh-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2020 fifth round pick. Bennett spent the 2018 season with the Eagles and showed his big play ability throughout the year. In 2009, Bennett started as an undrafted free agent for the Seattle Seahawks but also had a short stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before returning to Seattle.
Philadelphia Eagles Trade Michael Bennett to the New England Patriots
In Philadelphia, Bennett was set to be more of a rotational player. Even in this role, Bennett made big plays as he would regularly come off the sidelines fresh and bully the already winded offensive lineman. However, second-year rising star Derek Barnett went down week five to a shoulder injury and Bennett took on the starting role. Bennett’s veteran presence and high motor helped Philadelphia earn a playoff bid and make it to the divisional round of the playoffs. The 10-year vet was prepared to make $7.2 million with Philadelphia prior to the trade; however, today on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, he voiced that he was not worried whom he was playing for this year but he wanted to receive a higher salary.
The 33-year old veteran Bennett landed in Philadelphia last off-season via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. The Eagles sent a 5th & WR Marcus Johnson to the Seahawks for Bennett and a 7th. The latest trade has him heading to New England for a 2020 5th and 7th. Therefore, there is not much of a change with the trade and now Philadelphia has even more cap space after GM Howie Roseman had cleared close to $18 million this week alone. Bennett collected nine sacks and 34 tackles. Pro Football Focus recorded Bennett with 22 QB hits and 44 total pressures in 2018, including playoffs.
After entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2009 from the Texas A&M University, Bennett has truly made a name for himself. On Seattle, Bennett made it to two Super Bowls and brought a championship home in Super Bowl XLVIII. He was a cherished member of the vaunted Seattle defense that had earned the name the “Legion of Boom” because of their hard-hitting and tenacious secondary. In his career, Bennett has collected 327 tackles and 63 sacks. Belichick will see a familiar name in Bennett on the back of a Patriots jersey due to Michael’s brother Martellus’ time with the Patriots in 2016 and 2017. The Patriots were preparing to lose free agent defensive end Trey Flowers so this deal makes sense as a corresponding move.
Bennett’s best statistical season came in 2015 when he came away with 10 sacks and 52 tackles and his first Pro-Bowl bid. This was a huge season for Bennett having it come right after a Super Bowl season and leading to two consecutive Pro-Bowl nods. As Bennett packs his bags for New England, perhaps his brother Martellus will unpack his vacation bag and join his brother for one last ride.
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