Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett didn’t make a big secret about his dissatisfaction with his contract last offseason.
Bennett didn’t go to voluntary workouts in the offseason and talked about holding out from training camp, although he reported while safety Kam Chancellor took the holdout route before reporting to work a couple of weeks into the regular season. Bennett went on to play the most snaps of any defensive lineman in Seattle and was selected for the Pro Bowl, adding some ammunition to his case.
Bennett recently changed agents and hired Doug Hendrickson, who represented running back Marshawn Lynch during Lynch’s dealings with the Seahawks in recent years. On Thursday, coach Pete Carroll said he’s spoken to Bennett since the season and knows Bennett has his eye on reopening contract talks. He didn’t say whether it would happen, but said Bennett went about things the right way last season.
“Well, Mike did all the things he’s supposed to do, you know,” Carroll said, via Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune. “And he did it with a flair. I love that he brought leadership. He brought great energy — and really terrific consistency, too — to our season. We’d like to reward everybody. Can’t always do that.”
Bennett has two years left on his deal, which may be a sticking point for the Seahawks although Bennett’s case may be helped by the fact that he’s playing a much bigger role on defense now than he was when he signed his deal following the 2013 season.