Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett is unsure about his future with the team going as far to say that he doesn’t expect the Seahawks to bring him back for the 2018 season, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.
“I probably won’t be back next year,” Bennett, 32, admitted.
“Just seems like it’s a young man’s game. I can see them going younger, with younger players,” Bennett added. “That’s part of the game.”
Along with Bennett, veterans such as Richard Sherman, punter Jon Ryan and cornerback Jeremy Lane might not return to Seattle next season.
Additionally, the playing futures of safety Kam Chancellor and defensive end Cliff Avril are in question due to neck injuries.
The Seattle Seahawks may be forced to completely overhaul their roster.
“With me, I’m fine. I mean, whatever happens, I’ve loved being a Seahawk. … You love the organization. You love the players that you played with. We’ve won a lot of games. So if I am not here I would never have any hard feelings toward the organization. I love Pete Carroll and [general manager] John Schneider, and we just move forward. It’s part of football,” Bennett told reporters.
“This is just part of sports. It just keep growing and you continuously play for another organization, if you have the opportunity.”
Bennett, who had 8.5 sacks this season, is due a $4M roster bonus on the fifth day of the 2018 league year, which begins on March 14 and is signed through 2020.
“People, a lot of fans don’t realize it when people have injuries and how they play through it,” Bennett said. “Most people tear their plantar fascia they don’t even do anything. I played through it the whole season. Swollen knee.
“You do what you can for your teammates. You do what you can. That’s just the sport.”