The Sports Xchange

Defensive end Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks has been absent from organized team activities this week and the Seattle Times reported on Saturday that’s because he wants a new contract.

Bennett, in the second year of a four-year, $28.5 million deal, wants a contract that will pay him what the top seven players at his position earn.

“Trying to get the contract right,” Bennett said. “I’ll be there shortly. I don’t know when I’ll be there. Depends on the team and stuff. See how it works out.

” … Somewhere near the top seven at my position, top eight at my position. Not a lot of guys play inside and out. Not a lot of guys do what I do. So I feel like I should be somewhere near there.

“I just want to be in the realm of the guys that play like me. There are only so many guys that do what I do, and I would love to be like somewhere in there where they are at.”

Bennett, who recorded 38 tackles and seven sacks in 16 games last season, is 14th in salary among defensive ends in a 4-3 defense with his current contract.