Report: Michael Bennett wishes he could be back with Bucs

Last year, it was Clinton McDonald. This offseason, it was Tony McDaniel. For two straight summers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have plucked a former Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman in the offseason. While both acquisitions have been and should be valuable, there is still one need on the line that the Buccaneers have yet to address: a proven pass rusher.

And would you look at that, the Seahawks have one in Michael Bennett and he just so happens to be a former member of the organization.

After a falling out with the former Buccaneers regime under head coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik, Bennett joined the Seahawks where he has racked up 15.5 sacks in his two seasons with the team. His departure from the Bucs was a tumultuous one and it wouldn’t be crazy to think that he wants nothing to do with a comeback. But not so fast.

On Tuesday, JoeBucsFan.com spoke with the newest Buc and an interesting confession came out of their conversation.

"JoeBucsFan.com: Did Michael Bennett sell you on Gerald McCoy at all?Tony McDaniel: No question. I told him about, you know, I told him about some of the teams that were offering me and he said Tampa was a great place, and he even said he wishes he could come back down here. But yeah, he kind of helped sell me to come down here to Tampa and play.Joe: Are you going to get him back here?McDaniel: Yes, sir. I’d love to have him."

In theory, having Bennett back would be great, but it won’t and shouldn’t happen. For starters, Bennett is under contract with the Seahawks until 2018 when the defensive end turns 32 years old. It appears that Lovie Smith and Jason Licht are looking to get the team younger across the board and he definitely won’t fit that mold.

The defensive line depth chart is very deep. McDaniel, McDonald, Henry Melton, Gerald McCoy and Da’Quan Bowers are on a rotation in the middle. George Johnson, Jacquies Smith, William Gholston, T.J. Fatinikun, Larry English and others, including Melton and Bowers, are getting time at the edge.

There’s just too many players already in the fold. Adding another, high-priced player like Bennett wouldn’t be beneficial. Never thought I would write this, but we’re going to have to pass.

Next: How the Buccaneers can improve at defensive end

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