Patriots Rumors: Michael Bennett, NE Agree to Restructured Contract

Veteran defensive end Michael Bennett has reportedly agreed to a restructured contract with the New England Patriots after the team acquired him last month.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, the new deal features a base value of $16.75 million over two years and a $4 million signing bonus. The restructured contract provides Bennett with more guaranteed money while giving the club an extra $700,000 in cap space this year.

Bennett had been scheduled to earn $7.2 million in 2019 and $8 million in 2020. Then with the Eagles, the three-time Pro Bowler made it clear earlier this offseason on NFL Network's Good Morning Football that he was not willing to take a pay cut. In fact, he was looking for more money.

"You're always caught off guard whenever your name is brought up in the trade blocks, or being traded, but you understand that people want to acquire your services and we're in a tough situation as far as the salary cap," Bennett said on Good Morning Football in March. "But I'm not willing to take a pay cut. I actually want a pay raise at this point, and so whatever happens just to know that whatever team I go to I want to get paid more than I get paid right now."

Philadelphia was not willing to make that happen, but New England was.

Even at 33 years old, Bennett remains one of the top pass-rushers in the NFL. The 6'4", 274-pound lineman recorded nine sacks with the Eagles a season ago and has piled up seven-plus sacks in six of the past seven seasons.

According to Pro Football Focus' Mark Chichester, Bennett's 374 pressures are the third-most in the league since 2014, behind only Von Miller (405) and Khalil Mack (386).

Bennett previously revealed following the trade that he "used to hate the Patriots." But now that he is on board and getting paid, his feelings toward the organization have likely changed.