FRISCO, Texas – The New England Patriots traded Michael Bennett to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday. The Patriots will get either a 2021 sixth-round pick or a 2021 seventh-round pick per ESPN.
This will mark the third time that Bennett has been traded in the last year and a half:
– Seahawks traded him to the Eagles in March of 2018.
– Eagles traded him to the Patriots in March of 2019.
– Patriots traded him to Cowboys in October of 2019.
He is now back with an NFC East team. The Patriots suspended Bennett over an argument with an assistant coach. He voiced his frustration on wanting a larger role in the defense. New England used a 4-3 base defense when the team acquired Bennett but after the team signed Jamie Collins and Danny Shelton; the team went back to more of a 3-4 structured defense. Bennett no longer fit into the scheme and it was only a matter of time before New England moved on. Through week seven, he only played 130 of the defensive snaps.
Dallas will likely use Bennett as a rotational pass rusher behind Robert Quinn at right defensive end, and will move him into the interior as a nose tackle or three-technique in nickel packages. As a 34-year-old veteran, he still plays with the same power/strength and closes in on his targets when he has a shot. Like DeMarcus Lawrence, he takes a long step to gain ground on blockers and the Cowboys are hoping the three-time pro bowl player will boost the team’s pass rush and provide interior penetration in nickel formations.
