PHOENIX – New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is good, but just not Black Unicorn-like good. That’s just how Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett sees things in his colorful, quote-worthy world.
It’s all about brotherly love.
“Gronkowski’s the second-best tight end,” Bennett said this week. “My brother’s first, obviously. “
Last year, the Bennett brothers’ storyline was all about Martellus’ coming pitch to Michael to leave the Seahawks and join the Bears, who needed a pass-rusher or two.
It was a dream to play together both had said and it nearly happened. The Bears had offered Michael Bennett more money than the Seahawks’ four-year, $28.5 million deal that he signed.
“It came to the last minute with Chicago,” Bennett said. “It was one of those things that it was so close that I can’t even explain it. I was almost going there. I was on the plane.”
In the end, his Seahawks’ teammates – “Sherm (cornerback Richard Sherman] called me a lot,” Bennett said – were more convincing than his brother. The Bears then turned to ends Lamarr Houston, Willie Young and Jared Allen in free agency.
“The only teams I took really serious were the Bears and the Seahawks,” Bennett said.
Bennett didn’t exactly produce a season -– he had seven sacks in more playing time than in 2013 — that equals all the headlines he makes for his eye-popping remarks to the media.
“I love my wife’s booty,” he said during Media Day. “My wife has the best butt of all-time.”
But Bennett is an invaluable part of an underrated Seahawks’ defensive front, his teammates and coaches said all week. Seattle center Max Unger called Bennett the hardest player to block in the NFL.
“Bennett’s a great player,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said.
The dream to play with his Bears brother, Martellus, still exists. In fact, the recruiting pitch has become his, even though Martellus still has two years remaining on his contract.
“Yeah, I can’t say it right now, but I would love my brother to be with me,” Bennett said. “That’s everybody’s dream.”
For now, Bennett hopes for better results in Chicago for Martellus.
“[Last season] was pretty tough [on my brother],” he said. “Whenever you lose, it’s always hard.
“For them to get that program turned out, I think John Fox is terrific coach. You can’t complain when you get John Fox. He has the pedigree of a great coach … and hopefully he gets things turned around.”
Email: ajahns@suntimes.com
Twitter: @adamjahns
