The Patriots’ addition of Michael Bennett is a major move, one that should give them some extra oomph and veteran versatility along the defensive line, regardless of what happens with Trey Flowers in free agency.
As we explained here earlier on Friday when we identified him as a free-agent fit for New England, the 33-year-old — the brother of former Patriots’ tight end Marcellus Bennett — has shown himself to be a strong, stout presence against the run and pass in previous years, having played multiple spots up and down the defensive line over the course of his career.
The 6-foot-4, 274-pound Bennett has been in the league 10 seasons (four with the Bucs, five with the Seahawks and one with the Eagles.) That includes a year with Greg Schiano in Tampa Bay (2012). In all, he has 63 career sacks. He didn't face the Patriots all that often in that time, but from a New England perspective, he got the ultimate compliment in Super Bowl XLIX when Dante Scarnecchia basically boiled the protection plan down to a simple philosophy: Stop No. 72.
This also fits a familiar team-building pattern for the Patriots, who have long built a part of their defensive nucleus on the shoulders of a thirtysomething defensive lineman they have acquired in the late stages of their career. Sometimes, it works out (Andre Carter, Ted Washington) and sometimes, it doesn’t (Albert Haynesworth).
Bennett appeared on the NFL Network Friday morning before the trade and was asked about his future.
“You’re always caught off guard whenever your name is brought up in the trade blocks or being traded,” Bennett said. “But you understand that people want to acquire your services. I think we’re in a tough situation as far as the salary cap and I’m not willing to take a pay cut.
“I actually want a pay raise at this point. So whatever happens, just to know whatever team I go to I want to get paid more than what I’m getting paid right now.”
According to Jeff McLane of Philly.com, New England is sending 2020 fifth-round draft pick from the Patriots for Bennett and a 2020 seventh-rounder selection.
Then, there's this:
Michael and Martellus Bennett always have wanted to play together. Now that the Patriots are trading for Michael, Martellus is interested in coming out of retirement to join his brother in New England, per a source. Then would be the McCourty and Bennett Bros. in New England.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2019
The other question here: What does this mean for Flowers? There's some positional redundancy there, but from a broader perspective, this move isn't necessarily made in a vacuum. Bennett will be making far less money than what Flowers will get. (Bennett has two more years in his current deal, which runs through 2020 and pays him base salaries of $6.2 million and $7 million the next two years, per Spotrac. I'd guess Flowers will be in line for something in the neighborhood of $13 million or so annually for the next few seasons.)
Is this just part of a larger series of moves where New England ends up moving some money around where you get get the both under contract? Or have we seen Flowers' last game with the Patriots? I'd expect that question to be answered over the next couple of weeks.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen how Bennett’s contract works in New England’s salary structure. To say nothing of what this might mean for Flowers’ future with the Patriots. But in the end, the addition of Bennett sets the tone for the start of the offseason — coming off another Super Bowl, it appears New England won’t be content to stand pat.