<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Monday, March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Bennett shows, Chancellor holds out to start Seahawks camp

The Columbian
Published:

RENTON — Michael Bennett, Kam Chancellor and Bobby Wagner all took different approaches Friday to show displeasure with their contract situations with the Seattle Seahawks.

Never shy about speaking his mind, Bennett used his words to convey unhappiness. Wagner was more straightforward, saying his personal deadline for getting a contract extension from his rookie deal is “now.”

And Chancellor said nothing other than with his actions, by holding out from the start of training camp and potentially incurring fines of $30,000 per day.

“I’m still upset about my contract situation but it’s one of those things where it is what it is,” Bennett said. “I’ve got to be professional and come out here and be a leader that I’ve always been and get this team back to where we need to be.”

While the Seattle Seahawks were celebrating Russell Wilson’s contract extension on Friday, there were a handful of players equally unhappy about their contract status.

Bennett and Wagner said they considered holding out but decided to show and avoid paying a fine of up to $30,000 per day. Wagner’s rookie contract expires after this season, while Bennett feels he should be paid beyond the $28 million, four-year contract he signed in March 2014.

Chancellor’s hold out is due to his displeasure with the compensation in his contract signed prior to the 2013 season that will pay him $4.5 million for the 2015 season.

Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he’s exchanged messages with Chancellor but doesn’t know when the second-team All-Pro strong safety might consider reporting.

“He has his points. He got his thoughts,” Carroll said. “He’s a very smart guy. He’s thought this out. He’s made a clear choice. We’ll see how it goes. I miss him.”

Bennett’s been the most vocal about his contract. Bennett said it was discussions with his wife and kids that led him to report, rather than holding out to make his stance known.

Bennett’s contention is his ability to play multiple positions on the defensive line. Bennett has lined up at both defensive end positions and at defensive tackle at various times during his two seasons with the Seahawks. Last season, Bennett was in on 85 percent of the defensive snaps, according to STATS.

Bennett seemed resigned that nothing would change with his contract now, saying the best case scenario was playing out this season and seeing what happens after.

“Every American, whoever has a job, wants to get paid more than they got paid last year. It’s a simple fact,” Bennett said.

With Wilson’s extension finished, Wagner would seem to be next in line. Wagner was an All-Pro last season despite missing five games with a painful toe injury and has been Seattle’s starting middle linebacker since being a second-round pick in 2012.

“It’s important to be recognized as one of the best. It’s not up to me. I let the people who get paid to figure that out, figure that out,” Wagner said. “My job is to go out there and make sure this defense is ran right and that’s the best defense. And it will be the best defense that you guys see on this field — again.”

Chancellor signed his four-year extension following the 2012 season and is regarded as one of the most unique players in the league by having the size of a linebacker and the speed of a safety. Chancellor has played through a number of injuries, including an MCL tear in his left knee suffered just days before the Super Bowl.

“Me and him are kind of going through the same thing,” Bennett said. “I think Kam has out-performed his contract. He’s the best safety in the NFL. You see that game in and game out. He’s the enforcer of our team. He’s a leader. He does things that no one is capable of doing. There are a lot of guys I played with that have injuries that wouldn’t play. … He’s making the right decision and I support him 100 percent.”

Thomas on PUP list — All-Pro free safety Earl Thomas is starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

Thomas had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder during the offseason and was in uniform but just a spectator when the Seahawks opened training camp Friday.

Carroll said the team is going to be patient in bringing Thomas back and would wait until it’s “safe and secure” for Thomas to be on the field. Carroll would not give a timeline on Thomas’ return.

Joining Thomas on the PUP list are defensive backs Jeremy Lane and Tharold Simon. Lane suffered serious arm and knee injuries in the Super Bowl, while Simon (shoulder) is hopeful of playing in the preseason. Paul Richardson (knee) is also on the PUP list.

Seattle placed defensive tackle Jesse Williams and defensive back Dion Bailey on the non-football injury list. Williams is recovering from surgery after being diagnosed with kidney cancer.

Loading...