Michael Bennett trade headlines busy day for Seahawks
When it trains, it pours in Seattle. The news cycle has been storming the Seahawks today. Here’s the latest:
Seahawks trade DE Michael Bennett to the Eagles
After weeks of rumors and several offers, the Seahawks finally got an acceptable price for Bennett – the Eagles are dealing a 5th rounder and WR Marcus Johnson in exchange for Bennett and a 7th rounder. Seattle reportedly wanted to deal Bennett based on his cap number (Seattle will save $2.2 million) but also the perception that he had a down year, despite 8.5 sacks and leading the team in snaps while playing through plantar fasciitis. Bennett joins a deep defensive line in Philadelphia that includes Fletcher Cox, Derek Barnett.
The 32-year-old Bennett was hardly muzzled in Seattle but he will also now be a member of the most socially proactive team in the NFL, joining the likes of Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Long.
CB Richard Sherman may be next
First came the cryptic tweets from Sherman’s teammates
That text message got my heart hurting … damn 25 was my Dawg #WhatsNext
— jeremy lane (@StayingInMyLane) March 7, 2018
“Chancellor of Operations”
Thanks for the name @RSherman_25 https://t.co/o33BDukp1H
— The Enforcer (@Kam_Chancellor) March 7, 2018
Then came the news: Multiple sources reported Sherman would be meeting with Pete Carroll later today in what sounds like an exit interview. Seahawks brass acknowledged trying to unload Sherman last offseason, and it sounds like they were more successful this go around.
The unloading of Bennett and Sherman signals a new era in Seattle, one likely rooted in youth and rebuilding
In less fiery news…
QB Russell Wilson is the new Jon Gruden … well kinda
One of ESPN’s most popular series, Gruden QB Camp, was instantly off the schedule when the former MNF analyst departed to coach the Raiders. As a replacement, the network announced that Wilson will be mentoring prospects in a 4-part series called QB2QB, debuting April 17th.
Participants include Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State), JT Barrett (Ohio State) and Saquon Barkley (Penn State). Barkley’s episode will be called QB2RB.
Wilson will have a different vantage point than Gruden when mentoring the prospects and his advance and analysis should be fascinating. Though given the depth of QBs this season (Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold, Lamar Jackson), it would have been nice to have added a few more prospects.
