While most of us expected Michael Bennett to leave, I’m sure none of us thought it would be for what he received.

Michael Bennett signed a 1-year, $5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday.

Bennett had a career year with the Bucs in 2012, starting 16 games and recording 9 sacks.  Bennett led the Bucs in sacks in 2012.

On Monday, one day before free agency began, Bennett told me that he would give the Buccaneers a chance to match any offer he received on the open market.

“Yeah, I’ll give the Bucs a chance to match any offer that I get,” Bennett stated. “Obviously, I started here with the Bucs and I’d love to finish here.”

Bennett is the 2nd defensive end to sign with the Seahawks as Cliff Avril signed with them on Wednesday for 2-years, $15 million.

With Bennett and Avril, the top two defensive ends in free agency this off-season, signing such affordable contracts, the market for defensive ends this off-season is obviously a buyer’s market.

The Buccaneers could use another defensive end to add to their rotation.  If they choose the free agency route, they can still probably get very affordable deals with either Osi Umenyiora or John Abraham.