Defensive end Michael Bennett was adamant about not giving the Seattle Seahawks a “Costco discount” in contract negotiations and general manager John Schneider dismissed the notion of using the franchise tag to retain him.
The door is official open for Bennett to pursue opportunities on the open market as an unrestricted free agent March 11.
“This is not Costco, this isn’t Wal-Mart, this is real life,” said the loquacious Bennett, who could join his brother Martellus, a tight end with the Chicago Bears, a team expected to be one of Michael Bennett’s suitors on the open market.
A versatile defensive end who played some defensive tackle on passing downs for the Seahawks, Bennett proved his value on a one-year, $5 million deal with Seattle in 2013.
Seattle isn’t flush with cap space and already parted with defensive end Red Bryant. Defensive tackles Tony McDaniel and Clinton McDonald are also unrestricted free agents.
Bennett had 8.5 sacks in the regular season with the Seahawks.