The new league year doesn't officially begin until March 14, but Bill Belichick got a jump on things and already is hard at work. According to a tweet by Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles are trading defensive end Michael Bennett to the Patriots.
McLane says the deal is going down but draft pick compensation is still being decided.
Bennett, 33, has played for the Eagles, Seahawks and Buccaneers during his 10-year career and has 63 sacks to his credit. Last year in Philly, his only season with the Eagles, he recorded 34 tackles and nine sacks. Bennett's brother, Martellus, was part of the Patriots 2016 Super Bowl title team.
Bennett reportedly is looking for a raise despite having two years remaining on the $31.5 million extension he signed with Seattle in 2016.
The Patriots didn't use the franchise tag on defensive end Trey Flowers and the thought was the team might try to re-sign him once he explored free agency. The reported addition of Bennett might make that even more difficult.
