Raiders free agency watch: DE Michael Bennett to test free agency

Originally published on Silver & Black Report on March 6, 2014

As discussed earlier in the week here, the Raiders are in need of a pass rusher and not it just so happens that one of the league's best is looking to test the free agent market.

Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett signed a one-year, $5 million deal with Seattle last year due to a shoulder injury but looks like he will be cashing in for bigger money this offseason.

It appears that Bennett has received an offer from the Seahawks but would like to see what he can get elsewhere before agreeing to any terms, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Seattle DE Michael Bennett will be testing the free agent market and will not be re-signing with the Seahawks before March 11th, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2014


Bennett was one of Seattle's best pass rusher finishing with 8.5 sacks on the season and helping lead a suffocating defense that eventually became Super Bowl champions.

The Raiders have struggled to find a pass rush in recent years and adding Bennett would be a huge step in the right direction. Defensive end and fellow free agent Lamarr Houston led the Raiders last year with just 6.0 sacks. No other Raiders defensive lineman had more than 3.0 sacks for the year.

Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie and the front office can start talking with Bennett on March 8 but can't make any signings official until March 11. It certainly seems likely that McKenzie will be one of the first to reach out to Bennett's agent given the Raiders' lack of pass rushers.