The Seahawks were able to add a pair of strong defensive ends at reasonable prices in free agency last year because of a soft market for pass rushers and they know that they’ll have Cliff Avril for another season.
The outlook is less clear for Michael Bennett. Bennett signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with the Seahawks after a nine-sack 2012 season with the Buccaneers and turned out to be a bargain. He played the most snaps of any defensive lineman in Seattle, had a team-high 8.5 sacks and played like one of the best 4-3 ends in the league.
Bennett said Monday in New Jersey that he feels like the Seahawks defense is a great fit for him and that he’d love to return to the team in 2014. Beyond that, though, he said he isn’t thinking about where he’ll be playing past Sunday.
“I don’t think about the money because it’s not in my account,” Bennett said. “You do want long-term deals, but I don’t think about it as much as some people think I think about it. I think about winning the game. I’m taking it one game at a time, taking care of this moment and playing for this team.”
Bennett turns 29 this year, so this would be a good time for him to land a long-term deal. His play would suggest plenty of suitors, but many thought the same this time last year and things didn’t play out that way.