UPDATED 2:30 p.m. EST: The Seahawks have reportedly traded Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Here it goes: Seahawks are trading DE Michael Bennett and a seventh-round pick to Eagles for a fifth-round pick and WR Marcus Johnson, sources tell ESPN.
See original story below.
Earlier this week, rumors that the Seattle Seahawks were looking to trade standout defensive end Michael Bennett surfaced. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, one of the most plugged-in NFL reporters, appeared on Up to the Minute Tuesday and said the Seahawks were considering trading him to make the team "quieter."
"From what I understand, the Seahawks are looking to move him," Rapoport said. "One of their core defensive players over the last several years. Production has been really no question here, but this is a team that's trying to maybe quiet things down a little bit compared to over the last couple years."
Bennett, 32, is in his second stint with the Seahawks. He began his career in Seattle and spent four seasons in Tampa Bay before returning to the organization. In Dec. 2016, he re-signed with Seattle on a three-year, $31.5 million extension. He has roughly $27 million remaining on that deal.
Bennett has earned three straight Pro Bowl invitations. He had 8.5 sacks this past season. The Seahawks, however, struggled as a team and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Bennett is one of the NFL's most politically outspoken players. He co-authored the forthcoming book, Things That Make White People Uncomfortable. For that reason, some have questioned the Seahawks' motivations to "quiet things down."
Smh crazy.. RT @BleacherReport: Seahawks looking to trade DE Michael Bennett to ‘maybe quiet things down a little bit,’ per @RapSheet https://t.co/cpbKHRS1mT pic.twitter.com/JsiBBLAs4Y
Bad move, Seahawks. Team leader. Three straight pro bowls. More QB hits than Bosa or Von Miller. Led defense in snaps despite plantar fasciitis. Was team's Walter Payton nominee for community service. Hey.... great for some other team. https://t.co/mtkvng71bj
This lifelong WA resident and Seahawks fan is a big fan of Bennetts. It'd be a shame to trade him to "quiet things down." Seems cowardly and not at all fitting for a team like Seattle.
Rapoport, however, says his words have been misconstrued.
My comment had literally nothing to do with activism or Michael Bennett’s impressive social platform. The #Seahawks have always supported that. https://t.co/cu8qv2NFef
For what it's worth, Rapoport was likely alluding to Bennett's other behaviors, such as the time in January 2017 when he exploded on a reporter.
