Patriots Reportedly Give Michael Bennett A Raise, Create More Cap Space For 2019
BOSTON (CBS) -- Michael Bennett and the Patriots are already working together. The defensive end and his new team have reportedly re-worked his contract to give him a little more money, and help the team create a little more cap space for the 2019 season.
Bennett expressed a desire to get a raise this offseason, and in a somewhat surprising move, the Patriots gave it to him. The two sides have agreed to a reworked two-year deal worth $16.75 million with a $4 million signing bonus, according to ESPN's Field Yates. The deal gives Bennett more guaranteed money and gives the Patriots an extra $700,000 in cap space to work with this season, according to Yates.
Sources: the Patriots and DE Michael Bennett have agreed to a reworked two-year deal with a base value of $16.75M, including a $4M signing bonus. Bennett gets guaranteed money and more upside, while the move creates $700K in cap space for the team in 2019.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 2, 2019
It's a nice gesture from the Patriots, giving Bennett the pay bump he sought. Under his previous deal, Bennett was set to make $7.2 million against the cap in 2019 and $8 million in 2020.
The Patriots acquired Bennett and a 2020 seventh-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles on March 8, sending a 2020 fifth-round pick to Philadelphia in return. The 33-year-old had nine sacks for the Eagles last season, and has recorded 63 sacks over his 10-year NFL career.