The Seahawks have denied any knowledge of Bennett wanting a trade, ESPN's Terry Blount reports.

A Tuesday afternoon report from Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says that Bennett wants to be traded to the Falcons. The situation is still worth keeping an eye on, as it's possible Bennett wants to be traded but hasn't explicitly asked anything of the team. New Falcons head coach Dan Quinn was Bennett's defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. The defensive end signed a four-year, $32 million contract last March, and the report also says that he wants a new contract.

Seahawks re-signed DE Michael Bennett to a four-year, $34 million contract, including $16 million guaranteed.

He chose to stay with the Super Bowl champs over the Bears, who were reportedly offering more money. Bennett, 28, "started" only three games in 2013 with Seattle, but racked up 8.5 sacks and a forced fumble while playing both defensive end and tackle, primarily operating as a sub-package pass rusher. He's not an every-down player, but the Seahawks are big believers in "wave" rotations up front, and Bennett's versatility is critical in their philosophy. The Bears may now attempt to make a late run at free agents Michael Johnson and Lamarr Houston, the top remaining available defensive ends.

The Chicago Tribune reports the Bears are believed to be offering free agent DE Michael Bennett $8.5 million annually, while the Seahawks' proposal is worth $8 million a year.

Adam Schefter's report that Bennett is leaning toward staying in Seattle suggests he's also leaning toward taking a small hometown discount. We're still not dismissing the Bears' chances of landing Bennett, but they may have to go to $9 million per year to land him. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport recently stated on Twitter, however, that Chicago has already begun turning its focus elsewhere.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Seahawks have "emerged as the favorite" to land free agent DL Michael Bennett.

This would be bad news for the Bears, who've targeted Bennett as their top priority in free agency. Seattle has made several cap moves -- releasing Sidney Rice and Red Bryant -- ostensibly aimed at keeping Bennett off the market. The sides have until 4PM ET on Tuesday to negotiate exclusively, before Bennett can sign elsewhere. We're still not ruling out Bennett landing in Chicago.

According to the Chicago Tribune, DE Michael Bennett has emerged as the Bears' "top target" in free agency.

The Bears are in "strong pursuit" of Martellus' brother, and reportedly hope to replace Julius Peppers with Michael at right defensive end. Two club officials told the Tribune they expect Bennett to sign with Chicago "after free agency opens at 3 p.m. (CT) Tuesday." Bears GM Phil Emery has a strong working relationship with agent Drew Rosenhaus, who reps Bennett. It sounds like it's just a matter of time before Bennett is rushing quarterbacks in the Windy City.

The Chicago Tribune reports the Bears are believed to be expressing interest in free agent DE Michael Bennett.

Per reporter Brad Briggs, the Bears are considering releasing Julius Peppers in order to sign Bennett. The Seahawks want him back, but are facing cap issues. One of free agency's top defensive ends, Bennett is believed to have a mutual interest in signing with Chicago and playing with his younger brother Martellus. The 49ers and Raiders have also been linked to Bennett as possible suitors.

Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio reported Friday that there could be a "bidding war" between the 49ers and Seahawks for free agent DE Michael Bennett.

Florio posted this on Twitter, then conceded on PFT's website that the Niners may be "feigning interest" in order to drive up Bennett's price tag for their division rivals. Bennett would be a bit of an odd fit in San Francisco's 3-4 scheme because he isn't a five-technique end, or a 3-4 rush 'backer. And the 49ers are strong at both of those positions. In addition to Seattle and apparently San Fran, the Bears, Jaguars, and Raiders are expected to pursue Bennett.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports free agent Michael Bennett won't re-sign with the Seahawks before the start of free agency, and plans to test the open market.

Bennett has been tossing bouquets the Seahawks' way all offseason, but has made it clear he won't be re-signing for less than top dollar. There's now a good chance he'll get that somewhere other than Seattle. According to FOX Sports' Mike Garafolo, the Jaguars and Raiders are "lurking" as potential suitors. Bennett is Rotoworld's No. 3 free-agent end.

Free agent DE Michael Bennett said the Seahawks "obviously" want him for the rest of his career.

"But everything plays into the numbers. Have to make sure everything is right," Bennett added. In other words, he's not going to give the Seahawks a hometown discount after playing out the 2013 season on a one-year deal. Seattle has released Sidney Rice and Red Bryant, moves designed in part to clear space for Bennett and fellow free agent Golden Tate.

Seahawks GM John Schneider doesn't anticipate using the franchise tag on free agent DL Michael Bennett.

Free agent DL Michael Bennett has made it clear he's not open to a "hometown discount" with the Seahawks.

"There is no such thing as discount," Bennett said Tuesday. "This is not Costco, this is not Walmart - this is real life. ... You want to be compensated for the way that you perform and the kind of teammate you are." Bennett is on the record as wanting to remain in Seattle, but he's more on the record for wanting top dollar. It's an understandable sentiment after Bennett got the short shrift in free agency last year. He's no better than 50-50 to return to Seattle.

Free agent DL Michael Bennett admits he wants to be "compensated with the top guys."

Bennett has been adamant that he wants to stay in Seattle, but he's also looking for a raise on the $4.8 million he made in 2013. "Basically I took a one year deal the year before, did a first-round tender in Tampa, so I definitely just want to be paid, you know," Bennett said. "I'm not trying to be the highest paid guy, but I want to be compensated with the top guys." Bennett is angling for the multi-year pact he missed out on last year. That could make it tough to re-up with the Seahawks, who have a number of long-term commitments (Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Russell Wilson) they need to make in the near future.

Free agent DL Michael Bennett has a "good feeling" he'll re-sign with the Seahawks.

Bennett did add "but you know how it goes." Bennett knows as well as anyone how things can go haywire in free agency. Expected to be one of the jewels of last year's market, he was forced to settle for a one-year, $4.8 million deal thanks to a shoulder injury. Bennett may want to be back, but it will likely have to be on a team-friendly price. The Seahawks have pass-rushing depth, and many important extensions to take care of in the next two seasons.

Free agent DL Michael Bennett "made it clear" at the Seahawks' Super Bowl parade that he wants to stay in Seattle.

"I want to be back here 100 percent," said Bennett. "I love the team, I love my teammates. Pete (Carroll) does a great job of letting us play. ... I know we can go back and win a Super Bowl again with all these guys. It's a business, but I definitely want to be back." Asked if brother Martellus pulling for Bennett to sign with Chicago will factor into his decision, Michael replied "That doesn't matter much. ... I'm definitely a Seahawk."

A league source with knowledge of the situation tells Profootballtalk.com there is "nothing imminent" between the Seahawks and free agent DL Michael Bennett.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported earlier in the day that Seattle will re-sign Bennett. That certainly may happen, but PFT reports there is no framework for a deal in place. Bennett managed a one-year, $5 million contract last offseason after word broke of a significant shoulder injury. He wound up missing spring workouts, but played in all 16 games and racked up 8.5 sacks.

CSN Chicago suggests free agent DL Michael Bennett will have a similar market to Cliff Avril's from last year.

Avril was one of free agency's better bargains in 2013, ending up with a two-year, $13 million deal from the Seahawks. Bennett, who has posted 17.5 sacks over the last two seasons while not missing a game, will be angling for more. Perhaps he'll be willing to give Chicago a little discount as he wants to play with his brother, Bears TE Martellus Bennett. The Black Unicorn is already doing some recruiting.

Impending free agent DL Michael Bennett would like to re-sign with the Seahawks.

"I would love to stay in Seattle," said Bennett. "I love everything about the players, the coaches and the fans." As much as he'd like to return, Bennett will likely chase the money after he landed just a one-year, $5 million deal in a down market last March. Bennett responded by posting 8.5 sacks as a rotational lineman. Pro Football Focus graded Bennett out as a top-five 4-3 end. Bears TE Martellus Bennett, Michael's brother, is expected to recruit him heavily to Chicago.

Seahawks DL Michael Bennett (back) is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Colts.

Bennett gave everyone a big scare last week when his head snapped back and he had to be immobilized on the field. But tests at the hospital revealed a mere strained muscle that happened to be near his vertebrae. Part of an absurdly deep Seahawks front seven, Bennett has 2.5 sacks through four games.

Seahawks DL Michael Bennett has been diagnosed with a strained muscle in his back.

Bennett got a scare when his head snapped back and his helmet flew off during the second quarter of Sunday's win at Houston. He was immobilized on a cart and taken to a hospital, but testing showed no significant damage. It was a case of the strain being very close to his vertebrae. Bennett's is considered week to week going forward.

Seahawks DL Michael Bennett was carted off the field in the second quarter of Sunday's Week 4 game against the Texans with an apparent neck injury.

Bennett's head and neck was jolted as he tripped and fell into the hip of Matt Schaub near the end of the first half. He was moving his extremities but lied face-down on the field for several minutes before being stretchered off.