NFL Free Agency 2014: Chicago Bears ‘in strong pursuit of’ Michael Bennett
Michael Bennett (72) at a press conference at The Westin in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The dots between the Chicago Bears and star defensive end Michael Bennett have been connected for quite some time, and it’s becoming clear that the Bears will be strong suitors for Bennett in a free agent bidding war. My top-ranked free agent, Bennett could very well end up re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks, since they really want to keep their star DE around and cut strong run-defender and captain Red Bryant, who signed a four-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday, in an effort to help clear out room to make a big offer for Bennett. The rival San Francisco 49ers are also expected to be involved in the sweepstakes, and Bennett is one of the free agents to watch for the closest this week.
After reporting the Bears strong interest (which is mutual) in signing Michael Bennett yesterday, the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reports that the Bears are “in strong pursuit” of Bennett. FOX Sports’s Mike Garafolo adds that he is hearing the same, and he also stated that the interest “has been mutual for a while, of course”.
The Bears desperately need to make sweeping upgrades on the defensive side of the ball, especially with stars Charles Tillman and Henry Melton likely gone. Safety is their biggest need and they’ve shown interest in a couple of safeties already, but they could use a superstar defensive end with Bennett’s elite pass rushing skills and run defense. If they do sign Bennett to a mega-deal, then they would release veteran Julius Peppers.