It appears a Michael Bennett-Dan Quinn reunion will not be happening in Atlanta. According to a report from ESPN’s Josina Anderson and Adam Schefter, the three-time Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl defensive lineman will be traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, along with a seventh-round pick. In exchange the Seahawks received a fifth-round pick and wide receiver Marcus Johnson.
The AJC reported on Monday that Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff talked with Seattle general manager John Schneider about trading for Bennett, who played under Quinn while he was a coaching assistant in Seattle.
The trade can't be officially announced until March 14, when the 2018 league year begins.
Atlanta was in the market for another defensive lineman this offseason, with defensive end Adrian Clayborn and defensive tackle Dontari Poe likely to enter free agency and sign with other teams.
The Falcons have around $14.8 million under the salary cap, which is $178,321,399 for the team. The two moves Atlanta made last week --releasing tight end Levine Toilolo and defensive end Derrick Shelby -- saved the team $7 million more.
Bennett is set to make $7.4 million this season, however the Falcons are working on extending several key pieces to their team, like quarterback Matt Ryan, nose tackle Grady Jarrett, left tackle Jake Matthews and free safety Ricardo Allen. Matt Bryant received his extension on Tuesday as he signed a three-year $10.5 million deal.
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