3 Defensive ends Dallas Cowboys can still sign in free agency
By Randy Gurzi
3. Michael Bennett
This first name sounds familiar because he spent the end of 2019 with the Dallas Cowboys. Michael Bennett was once one of the best pass rushers in the game for the Seattle Seahawks and while he’s not the same caliber player he was for them, he has still been effective in recent seasons — even if he’s become a journeyman.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
In 2018, Bennett was traded from Seattle to the Philadelphia Eagles, who he recorded nine sacks for that season. They then traded him to the New England Patriots along with a seventh-round pick for a fifth-round selection. Bennett didn’t seem to fit on the Pats defensive line and was then traded to Dallas in October for a sixth-round pick.
Bennett thrived in Big D, recording four sacks and 27 tackles in just nine games, all of which saw him work as a rotational defensive end. Bennett, who has a reputation of being a high-maintenance character, was well-liked in both New England and Dallas and with the Cowboys, he was actually a voice of reason when he erupted on everyone following a loss to Buffalo for not playing like champions.
The one odd thing about Dallas and Bennett was the team deciding to restructure his contract to make him a free agent this season. That doesn’t mean there can’t be a reunion and adding him would give them a good edge rusher to pair with Tyrone Crawford — who would likely still start in this scenario — on the right side.