Michael Bennett (defensive lineman, born 1985)

Bennett was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks on April 27, 2009.[5] An NFL Draft analyst noted that Bennett was not drafted probably due to his inconsistent performance in college. The team initially believed he could serve at left defensive end. After working with coaches during training camp, he was moved to the inside as a pass-rushing tackle.[6][7][8] During the preseason, he compiled nine tackles, two sacks, five QB hurries, a tipped pass and a fumble recovery.[9] He made the final roster by the end of the preseason.[10][11]

Bennett was waived by the Seahawks on October 10, 2009 in order to make room for offensive tackle Kyle Williams, who was signed off of the practice squad.[12]

Bennett in 2012 with Tampa Bay

Bennett was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 12, 2009. Tampa Bay switched him back to defensive tackle, and he became a key part of the defense filling in for the injured Gerald McCoy.

Bennett's best season as a Buccaneer came in 2012 when he recorded career-highs in tackles (41), sacks (9), and forced fumbles (3).

Bennett was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks on March 14, 2013.[13] He signed a 1-year contract reportedly worth $4.8 million, with $1.5 million guaranteed.[14] On March 24, 2013, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Bennett had a torn rotator cuff.[15] On December 2, 2013, Bennett scored his first NFL touchdown against the New Orleans Saints after recovering a fumble from the Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Bennett was a key contributor to the 2013 Seahawks defensive unit that ranked first in the NFL and went on to win Super Bowl XLVIII.

On March 10, 2014, the day before free agency began for the 2014 season, the Seahawks re-signed Bennett to a four-year, $28.5 million contract with $16 million guaranteed.[16] Rumors had previously stated that Michael could be joining his brother Martellus in Chicago.[17]

After the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game on January 18, 2015, Bennett commandeered a Seattle police officer's bicycle and took a victory lap around Century Link Field.[18]

In Super Bowl XLIX, with 18 seconds left in the end of the game, Bennett committed a neutral zone infraction. Afterward, a brawl ensued, which Bennett took part in. The Seahawks lost to the New England Patriots 24–28.

On October 22 of the 2015 season, in a game against the San Francisco 49ers, Michael Bennett recorded 3.5 sacks of Colin Kaepernick. The Seahawks won the game 20-3, and Bennett was named defensive player of the week for his performance.[19]

Eight games into the 2015 season, Bennett was ranked as the ninth-best edge defender in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. Through those eight games he had 31 total tackles (21 solo), 6.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 8 tackles for loss.[20] He was ranked 59th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[21]

On December 30, 2016, Bennett signed a three-year $31.5 million contract extension with the Seahawks, with one year still on his previous contract, now keeping Bennett signed through the 2020 season.[22][23] He was named to his second straight Pro Bowl in 2016, and was ranked 46th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[24]

On December 10, 2017, in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bennett struck the knees of Jaguars center Brandon Linder on a kneel down. This led to an altercation between the two teams, and that resulted in teammates Sheldon Richardson and Quinton Jefferson being ejected from the contest.[25]

On January 22, 2018, Bennett earned his third straight invite to the Pro Bowl after Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen could not attend due to injury.[26]

On March 7, 2018, the Seahawks agreed to a trade that would send Bennett and a seventh round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for wide receiver Marcus Johnson and a fifth round draft pick.[27] The deal became official on March 14, 2018, at the start of the new NFL league year.[28] He played in all 16 games with 10 starts, recording 34 tackles, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles.

On March 14, 2019, Bennett and a seventh-round selection in the 2020 NFL draft were traded to the New England Patriots in exchange for a fifth-round 2020 draft selection.[29] In week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, Bennett recorded his first sack of the season in the 43-0 win.[30] On October 15, Bennett was suspended by the Patriots for one game — a Monday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets — for conduct detrimental to the team. Bennett said his suspension was the result of a "philosophical disagreement" with his position coach, and apologized for his conduct.[31] He was reinstated from suspension on October 22, but his return was short-lived as he was traded just days later.[32]

Bennett in a game against the Washington Redskins

On October 24, 2019, Bennett was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a conditional 2021 sixth-round selection (#195-Roy Lopez).[32] He was acquired to offset the loss of defensive end Tyrone Crawford, who was placed on the injured reserve list on October 15.[33] He was a backup defensive end, registering 18 tackles (8 for loss), 4 sacks, and 24 quarterback pressures in 9 games. He was not re-signed after the season.

On July 21, 2020, Bennett announced his retirement from the NFL after eleven seasons.[34]

Bennett, together with his wife, Pele, established The Bennett Foundation with the stated mission of promoting health and fitness in underserved communities.[36] The foundation operates out of Washington, Texas, and Hawaii, offering free and accessible education, children's camps and activities, and health screenings. The foundation organizes the yearly O.C.E.A.N. Health Fest has worked to develop in-school nutrition education programs.[37]

In January 2020, Bennett partnered with Lemonada Media to launch Mouthpeace with Michael and Pele, a weekly podcast exploring topics such as family, his career, American society, and culture. Bennett hosts the series alongside his wife, Pele.

The first episode of Mouthpeace was released on January 31, 2020, and subsequent guests have included Dr. John Carlos, Dawan Landry, Dr. Eddie Glaude, Beto O’Rourke, Edouardo Jordan, Laila Ali, and Cliff Avril.[38]