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Michael Bennett returned to the Patriots facility today after being suspended a week for “conduct detrimental to the team” after he spoke about how he was being used by the coaches.
Bennett claimed he had “philosophical differences” with how he was being deployed on defense, which lead to the team taking action.
Today, reporters had a chance to speak to the lineman about the ordeal and his comments were very interesting.
Michael Bennett on his suspension: “I got suspended, lost money. What am I supposed to take away from that. There’s no love lost, it’s just what it is.”
Asked if he’s on good terms with the coaches, he said: “You have to ask them.” pic.twitter.com/4ERPJf9rUB
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) October 23, 2019
Also asked Bennett if his “philosophical” disagreement with Bret Bielema was related purely to football or to something else. His answer was “both.”
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) October 23, 2019
Bennett does not sound like someone who thinks the suspension was warranted and clearly doesn’t think there was anything to learn by losing time and money.
Bill Belichick runs a tight ship in Foxboro and if you step out of line you get punished accordingly. While the team clearly hoped for some sort of attitude change or remorse from Bennett, it’s apparent there won’t be any.
Add to that the dispute with defensive coach Bret Bielma potentially being more than just an on the field issue, things do not look good right now for the 33-year-old veteran.
If a change is coming, a trade would be very unlikely given how much money Bennett is set to make this year. It would not be surprising to see the team outright release the three-time Pro Bowler after the October 29 trade deadline forcing him to go through waivers before any good team can pick him up.
Assuming Belichick decides he’s had enough of Bennett’s antics, it is for certain there will be no love lost, it is just what it is.
