Last year, defensive end Michael Bennett signed a one-year, $5 million deal in Seattle. This year, he’ll be making a lot more.
But he could have made even more. Per a league source, Bennett turned down more money from two teams to re-sign with the Seahawks.
One team is believed to be the Bears. The other team currently isn’t known.
Bennett will make $28.5 million over four years. He gets $10 million in 2014, $16 million through the first two years, and $21 million over three.
Of the total, $16 million is guaranteed. It’s unclear how much is fully guaranteed beyond the first year.
It’s an average of $7.125 million per year, less than the $8.5 million average the Vikings paid to defensive end Everson Griffen on a five-year deal. Griffen has one career start, and 17.5 career sacks, all in the last three seasons. Bennett has 23.5 sacks over the last three years.
Still, Bennett played in only 57 percent of the snaps last year. The Seahawks presumably intend to keep his workload at the same level. And his compensation likely is based on the idea that he won’t be on the field every down of every drive.
Regardless of his workload, Bennett becomes the first Seahawk to take less in order to stay in Seattle. If more do the same, the Seahawks will be well positioned to win more Super Bowls.