FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Falcons are expected to add to their defensive line this offseason, and they are now being linked to a notable defensive end.
According to ESPN's Vaughn McClure, who cites anonymous sources, the Falcons are one of several teams engaging in trade talks with the Seattle Seahawks for veteran defensive end Michael Bennett. McClure does note that a source explained "nothing is imminent."
Prior to this news, the Falcons were viewed as a possible fit for Bennett. Falcons head coach Dan Quinn served as the Seahawks' defensive coordinator and defensive line coach prior to coming to Atlanta, and defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel was also a defensive assistant in Seattle.
Bennett, 32, finished with 8.5 sacks in 2017, and he has averaged eight sacks per season over the last six years. The Falcons released veteran defensive end Derrick Shelby on Friday, and Adrian Clayborn and Dontari Poe will both become free agents if new deals cannot be reached prior to the new league year on March 14.
