Since emerging as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, Seattle Seahawks pass rusher Michael Bennett has not exactly kept his desire for a raise secret.
With several defensive players signing some pretty massive contracts and extensions over the past few months, Bennett once again spoke up regarding his current contract situation.
“It is never-ending,” Bennett said, per Jordan Schultz of The Huffington Post. “Especially when people are getting new contracts every day. You sit there and you’re like, ‘Damn, really?’ I’m just to the point where it’s kind of like, if you don’t think I’m valuable, then just get rid of me.”
Bennett is currently in the midst of a four-year $28.5 million contract he signed in 2014.
Some might agree with Bennett’s frustration after fellow defensive ends Olivier Vernon and Malik Jackson just signed deals with their new teams that average $17 million and $14.25 million per year respectively.
Notably, Bennett registered career-highs in sacks (10) and combined tackles (52) in 2015. Thus, it is not surprising that Bennett is once again getting vocal about his contract.
Bennett has progressed a great deal through the years. He started his career as an un-drafted free agent of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in 2009, recording just six sacks in his first three seasons.
Now, seven years later, Bennett is a Super Bowl champion and one of the most-skilled players at his position.
Despite his disgruntled mentality, Bennett claimed earlier this spring that he won’t hold out on attending training camp.
Considering the recent success Seattle has had since Bennett joined the team, the defensive end likely wants to remain with one of the league’s best squads.
Though, it doesn’t appear that Bennett intends to quiet down any time soon on his stance.
“I just want to be fairly compensated with the top guys in the league,” Bennett continued. “I’m definitely one of the top-five defensive ends.”
As it is, Bennett’s average annual salary of $7.15 million makes him the 21st highest-paid defensive end in the NFL. There’s something wrong with that.