Patriots reportedly trade for Michael Bennett

Patriots reportedly trade for Michael Bennett

The Patriots are rebuilding their defensive line by adding a three-time Pro Bowler.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Eagles are trading Michael Bennett and a  2020 seventh rounder to the Patriots for a 2020 fifth-round pick. The compensation is expected to be draft picks. The news broke late Friday afternoon as the NFL braces for free agency, which started next Wednesday.

Bennett, 33, is [...]

Patriots reportedly trade for Michael Bennett

The Patriots are rebuilding their defensive line by adding a three-time Pro Bowler.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Eagles are trading Michael Bennett and a  2020 seventh rounder to the Patriots for a 2020 fifth-round pick. The compensation is expected to be draft picks. The news broke late Friday afternoon as the NFL braces for free agency, which started next Wednesday.

Bennett, 33, is the older brother of former Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett, who spent the 2016 and part of the 2017 season in Foxboro. The 6-foot-4, 274-pound defensive end was named to three-straight Pro Bowls from 2015-2017. Last year, he finished with nine sacks, 30 quarterback hits and 15 tackles for loss. Those marks would’ve led the Patriots.

Bennett comes with two years left on his contract. He’s owed a base salary of $6.2 million this season and $7 million next season. He’s also due$1 million in roster bonuses this season and next year.

The news comes at an interesting time for the Patriots. Currently, Trey Flowers is set to become the top available defensive end in next week’s free agent market. He reportedly might earn up to $17 million per season after leading the Patriots in sacks, quarterback hits and tackles for loss. Pass rusher John Simon is also an unrestricted free agent.

The Patriots came into this week with around $24 million in cap space. In the event that the Pats can’t retain Flowers, adding a veteran like Bennett is one way to rebuild their defensive line. Considering Bennett will turn 34-years-old next fall, this likely isn’t the last move the Patriots will make in regards to their defensive end position.

Retaining Flowers could still be a possibility. He and Bennett would make for a nice pass-rushing pair. If Flowers leaves next week, the Patriots could also add multiple draft picks to go along with their newest veteran. If the team is still looking to free up cap space, the Patriots could release veteran defensive end Adrian Clayborn. That would free up close to $4 million in savings.

On Friday, Bennett appeared on NFL Network's Good Morning Football and talked about trade rumors and his current contract

“Well, I don't know what's happening with the Eagles,” Bennett said. “Of course you always want to be with the team that you play with. At the same time, we all know it's a business, and we want to be able to make money whenever you get the opportunities. 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 that I'm one of the best players in the NFL. You look at statistically last year, quarterback hits, TFLs, and with 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 on the defensive line and be the best teammate and the best player that I can possibly be.”

In regards to reports that the Eagles wanted him to take a pay cut, Bennett said on Friday he’s actually looking for a raise.

"You're always caught off guard whenever your name is brought up in the trade blocks, or being traded, but you understand that people want to acquire your services and we're in a tough situation as far as the salary cap," Bennett said. "But I'm not willing to take a pay cut. I actually want a pay raise at this point, and so whatever happens just to know that whatever team I go to I want to get paid more than I get paid right now."

Bennett came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He’s played for Seattle, Tampa Bay and most recently, Philadelphia. In 10 NFL seasons, Bennett has 63 sacks. Last season, Bennett’s 30 quarterback hits were the fourth highest mark in the NFL behind Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox and Yannick Ngakoue.

If anything, the Patriots now enter free agency better prepared if they lose Flowers, who led the team in sacks each of the last three seasons.