For Seattle Seahawks defensive linemen Michael Bennett the old adage of patience comes to those who wait was reaffirmed Friday afternoon as the team announced Bennett signed a three-year contract extension worth $31.5 million.
The deal will keep Bennett in Seattle until the 2020 season and puts him among the top ten highest paid Defensive linemen in the NFL. Since signing with Seattle in 2014, Bennett has always said he would like to retire in Seattle. Here is what the talented and outspoken player had to say regarding his contract extension.
(On finally getting a contract extension) “It’s pretty cool. It’s good to be a part of an organization that recognizes players’ talent. Being able to be compensated for what you do on the field is always a good thing.”
(On why right now) “I don’t know. It’s up to John [Schneider] and Paul Allen, he’s a great owner. He wanted to give me an extension, they all wanted to get me one. So it was pretty cool to have somebody want to give you something.”
(On was it difficult) “It’s always difficult when you want to get more money. You know how it is and when you finally get it you feel happy, you feel like you deserved it and earned it so it’s one of those things.”
(On does he have a sense of relief) “Not really. You always want to get more money but football is never stress free because you got so many things that weigh in on you. Whether it’s the injuries, whether it’s the game. You have a little less stress but still a little stress there.’
(On does it ever get personal with Pete Carroll) “Pete is Pete. He’s one of those guys who has the players’ back at the end of the day but he still has a job where he has to have the back of the organization. I think he does a great job with a lot of the decisions he makes.”
(On was he ever anxious during his rehab) “No, during that time I think it was mostly just rehabbing and getting focused on getting back and coming back healthy. I wanted to come back and be the same player and I was lucky enough to have that happen.”
(On why he loves Seattle so much) “I love Seattle, I love the city, I love the fans here, I love the culture, I love the Seahawks, I want to retire a Seahawk. My teammates are great teammates. It’s just a great place to be.”
(On retiring here) “That’s pretty cool, to have it somewhere, where you put a lot of hard work in and you’ve done a lot of great things for the organization. To actually get a chance to retire in that same place is always special.”
(On how he’s going to celebrate) “I don’t know; this is my fourth contract it’s all the same.”
