Inside the Iggles
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Philadelphia Eagles debate table: Should Michael Bennett be released?

By Geoffrey Knox

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Michael Bennett
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Michael Bennett /
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GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 10: Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks sits on the bench during the national anthem prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 10, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Bennett was controversially detained by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on August 27, after the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor UFC fight. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 10: Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks sits on the bench during the national anthem prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 10, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Bennett was controversially detained by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on August 27, after the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor UFC fight. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

What happened? Why is this a big deal now?

While both the Eagles and Seattle Seahawks state they had no knowledge of this issue prior to the trade that brought Bennett to Philly, it’s easy to state you don’t believe the Seahawks in that regard. They traded him for a fourth-round draft pick for crying out loud and seemed as though they were in a rush to show him the door.

It’s also easy to assume that Philadelphia wouldn’t have made the trade had they known about this.

Some have asked why it took nearly 14 months for this case to be pursued. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo explained that his department chose to attack what they felt were more important cases first. If that’s the case, and if Bennett’s case wasn’t a priority, is he truly the terrible human being that Acevedo described him as in his presser? Is all of this necessary? Oh by the way, Acevedo’s never met Bennett, nor have many of the fans that share the theory that Bennett is a terrible person.

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Whether you believe the questions about his character or not or whether you think this is necessary or not, this is the situation. The charges he’s facing carry both a penalty of up to ten years in prison and what could amount to a $10,000 fine. Then, there’s the NFL’s investigation that sure to follow for Bennett violating the league’s conduct policy. This could, at worst, cost Bennett his career and, at best, cost him significant on-field time with the Eagles.

Then, there’s the issue of money.

What happens if Bennett goes? How is the salary cap affected?

Bennett is owed $1.6 million in 2018 and is due a roster bonus of $5 million. If they release him now, it costs them nothing. They also have a potential out in the 2019 season. Otherwise, he’s due a total of $7 million in 2019 and $8.5 million in 2020. You read that right. Releasing him now costs the team nothing. Don’t believe us? Here’s a very reliable co-signer.

Take a look:

With that being said, it appears the pros of releasing him outweigh the cons. Philly might stand by him, and no one would blame them if they did. Then again, would anyone blame them if they didn’t? We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

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