Report: Seahawks Trade Michael Bennett, 7th-Round Pick to Eagles for 5th-Round Pick, Marcus Johnson
The Seattle Seahawks are trading defensive end Michael Bennett and a seventh-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a fifth-round pick and wide receiver Marcus Johnson, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Bennett has made the Pro Bowl each of the past three seasons but believed he played his last game for Seattle after the team's 26-24 regular season loss to the Arizona Cardinals on New Year's Eve.
“I probably won’t be back next year," he said, according to The News Tribune. "Just seems like it’s a young man’s game. I can see them going younger, with younger players. That’s part of the game.”
Bennett was due a $3 million roster bonus if he remained with the team by March 18. he had three years remaining on his deal with Seattle after inking a $29.5 million extension through the 2020 season in December 2016. He was expected to earn $8.4 million in 2018.
He finished 2017 with 8.5 sacks.
The Atlanta Falcons had previously been reported as interested in Bennett.
The Bennett trade comes after it was reported that four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman will meet with Seahawks management to discuss his future with the team, according to The MMQB's Albert Breer. The Seahawks have undergone significant personnel re-shuffling after finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Seattle will have two new coordinators, as Brian Schottenheimer replaces Darrell Bevell as offensive coordinator and Ken Norton Jr. takes over the defensive coordinator position from Kris Richard.
Bennett posted a thank you message on Instagram to the Seahawks and the Seattle fans for all they did for him while there.
Bennett spent the last five years of his career with the Seahawks after starting his career playing four years with the Buccaneers.
