Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett wants a new contract so badly he’s now turned to verbally tearing down quarterbacks around the league.
During a Tuesday interview on 710 ESPN Seattle (h/t ESPN), the 29-year-old ripped Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill for signing a six-year contract worth nearly $100 million despite never reaching more than seven wins in a season.
“Quarterback is the only position in the NFL where you could be mediocre and get paid. At every other position, you can’t be mediocre. If I was Ryan Tannehill and the most games I ever won was seven, how could you get a $100 million for that? I guess that’s the value of the position.”
Bennett continued, shifting his target to the Houston Texans’ quarterback battle.
“And then it’s like, you’re sitting at home and there’s breaking news and it says that Brian Hoyer is the quarterback of the Texans. I’m like, who cares? That’s not breaking news. It’s really not breaking news.”
It didn’t stop there, though. Bennett criticized “young guys who haven’t done anything in the NFL” for whining about taking hits to the knees, particularly Sam Bradford. Bennett said:
“You take a guy like Sam Bradford — he’s never played really in the last three years, but he’s made more money than most guys in the NFL.”
Bennett, who is entering the second season of a four-year contract worth $28.5 million, per Spotrac, commended Tom Brady, Cam Newton and Peyton Manning for showing toughness after getting hit. For what it’s worth, Andrew Luck would also fit into that category.
Regardless, Bennett’s words carry some merit. Quarterbacks who don’t fizzle out of the league do ink sizable paydays following their rookie contract.
But what Bennett neglected to concede is that it’s easier to find defensive linemen than a quarterback—just ask the Buffalo Bills. Bennett has a strong opinion that he’s entitled to. Perhaps, rather than considering the seventh-year pro a bitter veteran, it’s better to appreciate that he actually spoke his mind.