Cliff Avril on Michael Bennett's contract talks: "Nobody wants to leave Seattle"
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett is campaigning for a new contract with three years left on his remaining deal, but won the support of teammate Cliff Avril.
Bennett is owed $6 million for 2015, $4 million in 2016 and another $4 million in 2017 before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Avril came to Bennett's defense in a radio appearance Thursday on SiriusXM NFL Radio via Pro Football Talk.
"As far as his mindset and another businessman in this league, I've been through the whole contract situation, so I don't fault him from wanting a new deal from a standpoint of they cut you after a year if they feel you don't play as well as that contract," Avril said.
"If you feel like you outplayed the contract after a year, go for it. What's the worst they can tell you? I don't blame him for that ... Hopefully they figure something out, if not this year, hopefully he outplays it again next year and they make sure something happens next year."
Bennett recorded 38 tackles, seven sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 games last season. The 29-year-old was an integral part of the Seahawks' back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, putting together an outstanding postseason.
With Seattle marked as one of the leading candidates to capture the Super Bowl, Avril spoke about players' desire to remain with the organization.
"Everybody wants to be in Seattle. Nobody wants to leave Seattle," Avril said. "Everybody wants to be there because we have something good going. But at the same time, I understand why guys feel like they may have outplayed a contract. In our league, the team's the only one's that's not liable for the rest of the contract really. When they want to get rid of you, they get rid of you. As a player, whenever you feel like you should be trying to cash in, why not go for it? But I don't think that affects anything chemistry-wise in our locker room or anything like that."
Although the Legion of Boom receives the overwhelming majority of media attention, Avril and Bennett established themselves as core components of the league's best defense. With Bennett under contract for the next three years, the allure of perpetual winning will need to trump the desire for immediate riches.