The Seahawks are reportedly trading Michael Bennett and appear to be on the verge of a full tear-down

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March 7, 2018 8:02 PM

The Seattle Seahawks' aging defensive core appears to be nearing its end after Michael Bennett was traded and rumors surround Richard Sherman.

The Seattle Seahawks traded Michael Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday.
The move came as rumors swirled around Richard Sherman's future with the team.
With the Seahawks' defensive core aging, ailing from injuries, and coming up on contract years, the Seahawks may be headed toward a tear-down.

The Seattle Seahawks may be on the verge of tearing down their aging defensive core.

On Wednesday, the Seahawks traded defensive end Michael Bennett and a seventh-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver Marcus Johnson and a fifth-round pick, according to multiple reports.

The deal came amid confusion over Richard Sherman's status with the Seahawks after several teammates posted what looked like farewell tweets to Sherman.

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Sherman told ESPN's Josina Anderson and Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer that nothing had happened, but NFL Network reported that Sherman does not expect to play for the Seahawks in 2018. NFL Network also reported that Sherman was expected to meet with the Seahawks' front office and coaching staff to discuss his future.

As NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted, it could be the beginning of the end for the Seahawks. Their defensive core, the "Legion of Boom," has been among the most dominant in the NFL, but ages, injuries, and contracts are taking their toll.

Bennett is 32 and entering the second season of a three-year extension he signed in 2016. Sherman will be 30 in March and is entering a contract year. Likewise, defensive end Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor's football futures are in doubt because of neck injuries both players sustained in 2017.

The Seahawks thrived for so long by drafting and developing homegrown talent, receiving quality play from players on cheap contracts. The lifespan of a defensive group can only last so long because of the physical nature of the sport, but as time has gone on, the Seahawks have had to hand out big extensions to deserving players, blowing up their payroll.

Now it appears the team is heading toward a reset. It's unclear what moves may still come, but it appears as though the Seahawks will try to do it all over by drafting young talent to play around Russell Wilson.

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