Earlier in 2015, a report suggested that Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett wanted a new contract and a trade out of Seattle. Members of the Seahawks organization quickly shot down the idea that Bennett was seeking a trade, though it does still appear that the standout pass rusher wants to rework his deal.
Now, a similar report has surfaced regarding Bennett’s brother, Martellus Bennett. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Bears are entertaining trade offers for their Pro Bowl tight end, and Bennett wants a new contract, whether he remains in Chicago or lands with a new team.
Bennett, 28, is coming off his best season, having racked up 90 receptions, 916 receiving yards, and six touchdowns for the Bears in 2014 — all of those figures were career-highs. So it makes sense that the veteran tight end would be seeking a raise, particularly since his contract doesn’t include any more guaranteed money.
Bennett is slated to earn about $5MM annually in 2015 and 2016, the final two years of his contract. While those are respectable salaries, Bennett presumably took notice of what happened on the free agent market this offseason, as players like Jordan Cameron and Charles Clay signed for $7.5MM per year — between them, Cameron and Clay combined for fewer catches than Bennett had in 2014.
While no teams have been linked to Bennett as potential suitors at this point, the Ravens, Packers, Browns, and Falcons are a few clubs with ample cap room and without a top-tier tight end.