The "Michael Bennett to Atlanta" rumors have died down quite a bit after Bennett told ESPN that he never asked for a trade, but he did not deny that he wants a new contract only a year after signing a three-year deal with Seattle. Now, those trade rumors are likely to heat back up, as Jason La Canfora reports.

He's kinda sorta tried to say that he didn't really want to be dealt after all, but that's not flying anywhere. He and his agent have made it clear he'd rather not be back in Seattle and while the Seahawks aren't ones to back down, perhaps something emerges that makes sense for all parties prior to the start of the regular season. Kind of odd not to be so happy in a franchise that competes for a Lombardi Trophy, and until or unless the Seahawks put out explicit word that Bennett has permission to speak to other teams, I don't see any clubs nibbling in this era of hyper-sensitivity over tampering regulations. But there's a lot of time between now and September for something to perhaps change.

La Canfora had the exclusive 'Frank Clark to Seattle' report the day before it happened, he had the 'Marshawn Lynch contract extension' first, and he had the 'Russell Wilson contract extension will drag on' report over the last few months as well, so I have to believe he's pretty plugged in to the organization somewhere.

Now, does this mean the Seahawks will trade their apparently discontented defensive lineman? No. But if this report is true, Seattle may be fielding calls for him over the next few months.