The Buccaneers brought back one of their defensive leaders on Monday when defensive end Michael Bennett signed a tender offer as a restricted free agent.
Bennett, 26, will make $2.7 million in 2012, which will be his fourth season with Tampa Bay. In 2011, he made 39 tackles, including four sacks and a team-best nine tackles for loss. He also forced a fumble and shared the team lead with two fumble recoveries. He had a career performance in Week 4 against the Colts, recording two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in a 24-17 Buccaneers win.
The Buccaneers had protected Bennett with a first-round tender, requiring first-round pick compensation from any other team that signed him.
Originally an undrafted free agent after his collegiate career at Texas A&M, Bennett began his NFL career when he signed with Seattle in April 2009, but was waived by the Seahawks that October without having ever played for the team. In 34 games over three seasons, Bennett has 57 tackles and six sacks.
