According to ESPN's Josina Anderson and Adam Schefter, the Seattle Seahawks have traded defensive end Michael Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles. In addition to Bennett, Seattle gave Philadelphia a seventh-round pick in exchange for wide receiver Marcus Johnson and a fifth-round pick.
This is the first of many impending moves for the Seahawks and general manager John Schneider as they overhaul their roster heading into the 2018 season. According to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the deal was actually finished yesterday when another team made a last-ditch effort to land the three-time Pro Bowler.
That team was the Atlanta Falcons, who only offered a sixth-round pick for Bennett, per Rapoport.
The Eagles already had one of the best pass rushes in the NFL last season on their way to the first Super Bowl title in franchise history. The addition of Bennett alongside Fletcher Cox, Derek Barnett, and Brandon Graham makes them all the more formidable.
The 33-year-old Bennett led Seattle's defensive line in snaps in 2017 while recording the second-most sacks on the team with 8.5. Yet, the Seahawks have concerns about his health moving forward, and a report came out yesterday stating that Seattle hoped that moving Bennett would make the team “quieter.” Additionally, bringing in a speedy receiver in Marcus Johnson provides them some insurance should Paul Richardson walk in free agency.
Bennett played through a torn plantar fascia in his foot and multiple knee injuries throughout the season, and he was still productive. When healthy, Bennett is one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the NFL.
In addition to Bennett, rumors are swirling about the Seahawks also moving on from star cornerback Richard Sherman. With Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor's futures in doubt as well, it appears to be the end of an era for Seattle's “Legion of Boom.”
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