5 players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should have never let walk
By Cory Kinnan
5. DE Michael Bennett
Regardless of the feelings that accompany the name Michael Bennett, there is no doubt that he has put together quite the career for being an undrafted 24-year-old back in 2009. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Buccaneers before signing a deal to head to the Seattle Seahawks in 2013.
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With the Buccaneers, Bennett tallied just 15 total sacks in four years, but the trend upward was evident as he had nine sacks in his last season in the pewter and red. He has hovered right around 10 sacks annually since leaving the Buccaneers, including nine last year at the age of 33 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is now a member of the New England Patriots.
In 2013, he signed only a two year, $10 million deal with Seattle, a deal the Buccaneers could have matched. Since leaving Tampa Bay, Bennett has become a three-time Pro Bowler as a member of the Seahawks, and won a Super Bowl with them as well.
For a team that has struggled to get a pass rush over the last five years or so, a player like Michael Bennett would have brought an attitude, swagger, and consistent play to the Buccaneers. Instead he received a payday on the open market that the Buccaneers did not match and the rest has been history.