Pats extend Ja'Whaun Bentley, two years, $18.75 Million

[Rob0729]

The Pats are extending players to make cap space. This is usually done before the offseason. Maybe making an addition or two.

 

[Rob0729]

 

[JackBauer]

Nice player, great football name. Glad they kept him around.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I still think he plays too much but Bentley is fine and guessing here his deal with count less then ~5% of the cap. Whatever.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Bentley is arguably the most underrated player on the team & another player who will benefit with the defense returning to man coverage. Less dropping in zones & more blitzing up the middle hopefully. He also improved his coverage abilities last season:

 

[PatsFan2]

We'll see how he looks against the Allen - Mahomes - Hurts and others. I would still take a D-Hop signing over our last two extensions.

 

[borg]

 

[PatsFan2]

 

[JackBauer]

I would still take a D-Hop signing over our last two extensions.

Now there's a controversial position.

 

[Sicilian]

We'll see how he looks against the Allen - Mahomes - Hurts and others. I would still take a D-Hop signing over our last two extensions.

They're not mutually exclusive.

 

[borg]

Not too many Belichick draft picks in recent years have warranted a 2nd contract so hats off to the draft dept.

 

[Zuma]

We'll see how he looks against the Allen - Mahomes - Hurts and others.

They got Mapu for a reason.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Thats good news, i was hoping we could keep most of the d together beyond this year. Hopefully Dugger is extended next and we have a very good chance to bring this same d back in 2024 for the most part minus uche ( really think hes a goner if he stays healthy and has another double digit sacks. Someone will overpay big)

 

[Wozzy]

Good extension. Bentley has developed into one of our best defenders and plays that crucial strong side linebacker role now that Hightower is gone. Someone has to come up and meet offensive guards, stack and shed them for tackles. He also has become proficient in zone coverage against the pass and shown good instincts. There's a tool for every job.

I suspect the Pats will slowly role out a bunch of extensions this season as they mold this crew and determine who their future is longer term.

 

[RobertWeathers]

They got Mapu for a reason.

It's no secret flying from sideline to sideline and twitchy in space movement is not Bentley's game.

In a perfect world Mapu becomes Bob Sanders and if that happens we will win the AFC.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Bentley is arguably the most underrated player on the team & another player who will benefit with the defense returning to man coverage. Less dropping in zones & more blitzing up the middle hopefully. He also improved his coverage abilities last season:

Pretty impressive for a linebacker. I'll take more of that, please.

 

[PatsFan2]

Not too many Belichick draft picks in recent years have warranted a 2nd contract so hats off to the draft dept.

Great minds think alike Borgie.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Contract says what he is - a decent LB at best.

He looks good playing against bad teams, but looks like he's jogging when trying to track down elite talent whether it's RB's, WR's crossing, TE's, or QB's leaving the pocket.

Him and Tavai are the biggest weakness in the middle of the field and get the brunt of the blame from media/analysts when playing competent teams, which is why Mapu was drafted. Gonzalez and Mapu are the X factors on defense this season.

 

[patfanken]

Bentley has always been a very good run defender and tackler. But while he isn't a great primary pass defender at the 2nd level, he HAS improved in that area over the last 2 or 3 years He is a good core guy to have on the defense. Not a bad signing at all.

Both these extensions will only fuel the rumors of a Hopkins or Cooks (or both) signing(s) My bet is we will hear something concrete before 7/10

 

[PScottman]

We'll see how he looks against the Allen - Mahomes - Hurts and others. I would still take a D-Hop signing over our last two extensions.

Until a guy like Chubb or Jacobs or Jones runs all over the Patriots and the FOTM asks where is the run stopping LB. He's being paid like a mid-level player, which he is. If he'd gotten a contract like these (these are per year numbers BTW):

• 1. Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith: $20 million
• 2. Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard: $19.7 million
• 3. 49ers linebacker Fred Warner: $19 million
• 4. Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds: $18 million
• 5. Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley: $17 million

Then the FOTM could cry foul all they wanted. It's more "all-pros at every position or they suck" propaganda.