Win Over Giants Proved There's No Room for Michael Bennett on Patriots Defense
The New England Patriots are off to a 6-0 start and are undoubtedly the best team in the NFL. What else is new?
What's actually new is that this team's defense is leading the way, with the No. 1 ranked unit silencing Daniel Jones and the rest of the New York Giants on Thursday night. But, what stood out from their performance was just how well they played with Michael Bennett off the field for most of the game.
Actually, it really tells us one thing: the Pats really don't need the veteran defensive lineman whatsoever.
Michael Bennett played a season-low 11 snaps last night. $6.5 mil cap hit. Is a player you’re only using on select passing downs worth it? Whether Bennett sticks will test my theory about how attached Belichick is to all the rotations on defense, but clearly something is up there
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) October 11, 2019
He only played 11 snaps? He didn't post any stats either. There's no denying Bennett has been a sensational DL over the years and could still be a playmaker in this league. However, as reporter Nora Princiotti points out, he's also on the books for a $6.5 million cap hit.
Thus far this season, he's posted just five tackles and 2.5 sacks. Are those the kind of numbers that warrant a cap hit north of $6 million?
Per @PFF, Michael Bennett played 11 snaps tonight. His snap totals by week: 37, 25, 19, 24, 14 and now 11. #Patriots
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) October 11, 2019
As you can see, there's been a steady decline in his game action each week. Perhaps the Pats could be getting ready to either cut him or trade him. Either way, NE continues to prove they can get the job done with or without him.
At this point, though, as the Pats get ready to make another push for the Super Bowl, it may be time to just part ways with Bennett.