The Seattle Seahawks appeared to be doing their diligence to re-sign prized free agent defensive lineman Michael Bennett when they cut veteran Red Bryant last month. Apparently, a divorce could be imminent regardless.
According to ESPN, Bennett is set to test the free agent market and will not re-sign with the Seahawks before the official start of free agency on March 11.
Seattle DE Michael Bennett will be testing the free agent market and will not be re-signing with the Seahawks before March 11th, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2014
Releasing Bryant opened up more than $12 million in salary cap space, and all reports since the Super Bowl victory indicates there was mutual interest between both Seattle and Bennett striking a deal. With the Carolina Panthers having already slapped the franchise tag on Greg Hardy, Bennett along with Jared Allen and Michael Johnson are among the most coveted defensive targets available.
One solution, according to NFL.com’s Albert Breer, is Will Smith, who was cut by the New Orleans Saints earlier this winter.
If Seattle were to lose Michael Bennett, one name that’d be on the list to help replace him would be ex-Saint Will Smith.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 7, 2014
The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation, simply put, is in disarray. Former first-rounder Christian Ponder has proven he isn’t the team’s future under center, while the team’s best option in 2013, Matt Cassell, will be a free agent. So leave it to the team’s franchise player to decide who will hand the ball of to him come next season.
@MikeVick would intently make the vikings a playoff team!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) March 6, 2014
Yes, Adrian Peterson wants Michael Vick, one of the most coveted free agent quarterbacks to join him in purple this offseason. Vick, who will be 34 by the start of the 2014 season, has been linked previously to the New York Jets among a host of other teams. Reports indicated the Jets will make a push for him, and ironically, the Vikings would make a push for Mark Sanchez.
The transition tag won’t stop Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack from testing free agency. According to USA Today, the most prized center on the free agent market still has his sights set on speaking with other teams and exploring all of his options.
“My time in Cleveland was interesting to say the least,” Mack said in the report. “It was never boring. But there is no guarantee anywhere you go. It’s not a given what happens in Cleveland now or for any other team.”
The transition tag allows the Browns to match any other offer a team extends to Mack. Reports have indicated retaining Mack has been the main goal of the team this offseason.
