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It seems that because he plays 5 different lineups, he feels that he should be paid more. Why should Bennett be paid more than a player who lines up in the same position every snap? What's important is that each player gives 100% every time they take the field. A human being has a finite amount of energy that they can put forth on each play, game, season, etc. The fact that Bennett is being utilized in different ways should not be cause for paying him more, imo.

It's a lever to try to ply more money from the team.
Doubt it works.

Now if he were playing 5 positions all at once I'd be impressed.

Now Bennett is really starting to PISS me off. C'mon man - you had two FA seasons and YOU signed a 4 year deal. Drama King!

And people here are calling Russ selfish ...

I don't think he will miss time when he starts losing money each day.

Me, either. They might massage the numbers a tiny bit like they did with Beast last year, but I think in the end that Bennett will return without a substantial change in his contract.

If I understand the information in spotrac, he got $8,000,000 as a signing bonus (spread over 4 years)
Details:
2014 $2,000,000 base salary and $2,000,000 signing bonus
2015 $6,000,000 base salary and $2,000,000 signing bonus
2016 $4,000,000 base salary and $2,000,000 signing bonus + $1,000,000 Roster bonus
2017 $6,000,000 base salary and $2,000,000 signing bonus + $1,500,000 Roster bonus

Contract Notes:

$10M initially guaranteed (Signing Bonus + 2014 base)
2015 Base guaranteed for injury only, becomes fully guaranteed 2/6/15
2016 Roster Bonus: $1M
2017 Roster Bonus: $1.5M


I'm not sure I see too much room to move money around except for the roster bonuses or guaranteeing later years.

That's a pretty big except though. Moving all that bonus to this year may well be what he's after having seen similar concessions made for Marshawn.

c_hawkbob wrote:That's a pretty big except though. Moving all that bonus to this year may well be what he's after having seen similar concessions made for Marshawn.

It certainly is for us mortals.
I originally only said I don't see much room to move salary, but then considered the bonus.
What might he want in later years, then as he already has $18,000,000 for the first 2 years?

I guess they could guarantee the final $16,500,000 in some form - or just the 3rd year and renegotiate the last year as an extension.

Old but Slow wrote:While this seems serious, I am reminded that Bennett is a prankster. And he likes attention. I have a mental image of him laughing up his sleeve at all the commentary.

For some reason, my mental images never include football players.

When it comes to money, I don't think he is taking this situation as a joke, or even a half thought out maneuver. I think he wants what Marshawn Lynch got. More guaranteed money moved up a year or 2. I also think he'll get it since the team has now set a precedent.

c_hawkbob wrote:And people here are calling Russ selfish ...

At least Bennett is not demanding to be the NFL highest paid player like Russell - he is not even asking to be the highest paid player at his position. Nor is he asking for guarantees in a manner that no player or team has offered to any player like Russell and his agent are asking for.

Bennett also took and signed for less money with the Seahawks than what other teams were offering.

This being said, Bennett needs to play out at least this year before the Hawks should give him any more money.

First off, we don't know what Russ has asked for other than to be paid what he thinks he's worth.
Second, he has been asked by the team to extend his contract, not tear up one signed just last year that is guaranteed to pay him $18 million over the first 2 years.
Third, QB's who win Super Bowls get more money (sometimes a lot more) than most of those who just have the potential to win.
Fourth, there isn't another QB out there who can compensate for our woeful Offensive Line and take care of the ball like Wilson.
Fifth, his production to date has been off the chart relative to what others preceding him have accomplished - and without much of a supporting cast.
Sixth, he is the perfect face of the franchise - a QB who both wins and is very active in the community.
Finally, this is part of the give and take of negotiations - waiting it out is part of the process.