Philadelphia Eagles trade Michael Bennett to the Patriots

The Philadelphia Eagles have sent their veteran defensive end Michael Bennett to the New England Patriots.

It’s official. Philadelphia Eagles veteran defensive end Michael Bennett has wrapped up his one and only season in Philly. Some rumors came out early last week that Bennett was being shopped around at the NFL Combine, but it seemed like a standard cap casualty situation. Although Bennett was only on the hook for a little over $7 million, his age made it difficult for the Eagles to keep him around.

His age and cap hit weren’t what moved the Eagles to really push Bennett out though. On Good Morning Football, Bennett said live on TV that not only was he unwilling to take a pay cut as the Eagles asked, but he actually wanted a raise as well. Following that appearance, the Eagles began to push Bennett even harder, which led to him being traded by late Friday afternoon.

The Initial Announcement

"“You always caught off guard when your name is brought up in the trade block or being traded but you understand that people want to acquire your services,” Bennett said. “We in a tough situation as far as the salary cap. I’m not willing to take a pay cut. I actually want a pay raise at this point. I just know at this point whatever team I go to I want to get paid more than what I am getting paid right now.”"

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, the Eagles are ‘likely’ to receiver a fifth-round draft pick for next year. The New England Patriots will get Bennett and a 2020 seventh-round draft pick in return. It’s unfortunate, considering that the Patriots offered a rumored third-round pick to the Seahawks for Bennett last year, but his age and demand for a new contract is what diminished his trade value a bit. Now, the Eagles will free up around seven million.