According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots outbid the Eagles for defensive star Michael Bennett and still didn’t get him.
Here’s what Rapoport said:
"This was a complicated situation. First of all, the Bennett brothers were going nuts trying to get it somehow so they could play together on the Patriots. I know Martellus Bennett was talking about taking less salary, trying to stick around so the Patriots could then trade for his brother. Now, from what I am told, this was basically done, a done deal between the Seahawks and Eagles -- this was Tuesday morning. Then the Patriots came in late and said 'Well, maybe we'll give you this' -- a little bit better draft-pick compensation. The problem was the [Seahawks-Eagles] deal was basically already done. The Seahawks are honorable people and they did the deal that was basically consummated earlier."
(Quote via NFL.com)
I suppose I understand where the Seahawks are coming from. If they were to accept the Patriots offer at the last minute, that would feel a little dirty (*cough* Josh McDaniels). Seattle agreed to a deal with the Eagles, and the Patriots were just too late, so I don’t mind the Seahawks taking less than they could have gotten when backing out might’ve disrupted future negotiations. Teams want to know they can trust their trade partner; if you screw over one team, the rest will be wary of dealing with you.
From the perspective of a Patriots fan, this is obviously a really tough break. Bennett would have been a major addition to the defensive line, which was terrible in the Super Bowl and certainly less than stellar all season long.
The bright side is that Bill Belichick appears to be taking an aggressive approach to this offseason. Some years the Patriots decide to stand pat, and some years they decide to be aggressive. Don’t forget that the last time the Pats defense needed major retooling they went out and snagged Darrelle Revis (along with Brandon Browner, among others). Who they go after at linebacker and d-line is anyone’s guess, but cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Trumaine Johnson are definitely on the Patriots radar as of now.
If the Pats are going to make another couple runs at a Super Bowl in Brady’s final years, they need to be aggressive in both free agency and at the draft. What happens from now until the end of April will determine if Brady gets his sixth ring.
(Photo via Boston.com)
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