Dallas Cowboys trade for versatile pass rusher Michael Bennett
The Dallas Cowboys decided they are going to make a bye week trade after all, acquiring pass rusher Michael Bennett from the New England Patriots.
Last season, the Dallas Cowboys made a trade that turned their entire season around. Dallas acquired Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders for their 2019 first-round draft selection. The gamble paid off and the Cowboys ended up winning the NFC East.
Entering this seasons’ bye week, the Cowboys currently sit atop the division at 4-3, but Dallas still has some roster needs they could address. And, in fact, they now have.
On Thursday afternoon, the Cowboys agreed in principle to trade a conditional seventh-round selection in 2021 to the New England Patriots for 33-year old pass rusher Michael Bennett. Based on Bennett’s performance, the pick can go up to being a sixth-rounder. This trade is not yet official pending a physical on Friday. That according to DallasCowboys.com.
If the trade goes through, the Cowboys will be on the hook for just over half of the $3 million in remaining base salary for Bennett. And he could earn nearly $900K more in incentives per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.
The Cowboys needed additional defensive line help after recently placing versatile Tyrone Crawford on Injured Reserve with a hip injury. Bennett, who can play either defensive end or defensive tackle, offers Dallas the kind of positional-flex they covet. He’s also a Super Bowl champion and three-time Pro Bowler.
Another intriguing aspect of this trade is the fact Bennett used to play for Cowboys’ passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Kris Richard as members of the Seattle Seahawks.
From 2013 to 2017, Bennett terrorized opponents in Seattle’s trenches recorded a total of 39.0 sacks in that five-year span. The 11-year veteran posted 9.0 sacks as a 10-game starter for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
The outspoken brother of former Cowboys’ tight end Martellus Bennett is coming off a one-game suspension by the Patriots for conduct detrimental to the team following a disagreement with his position coach. Bennett has barely seen the field in New England, recording 130 total defensive snaps over six games. He still posted 2.5 sacks.
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In Week One, Michael Bennett played a season-high 37 snaps against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That dropped all the way down to a year-low 11 defensive snaps in Week Six against the New York Giants. Interestingly enough, the Dallas Cowboys will play the New England Patriots in Week 12 on the road in Foxborough.