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Chiefs Acquire Michael Bennett
This story originally published on WarpaintIllustrated.com
Suddenly the Chiefs backfield is crowded.
Suddenly the Chiefs backfield is crowded.
By Nick Athan
Warpaint Illustrated Publisher
Posted Aug 2, 2006

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After rumors circulated for most of the day on Tuesday, in the late hours of the evening the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints worked out a trade that sent backup running back Michael Bennett to the Chiefs in exchange for future considerations.

Updated: 9:40 am

ESPN reported the deal that had been rumored for much of the day in River Falls, Wisconsin, where the Chiefs are in the midst of training camp. Reports began early in the day that the team was close to acquiring a running back.

On Wednesday morning, Kansas City Chiefs President/General Manager Carl Peterson made it official.

"“We have been working on a potential trade for Michael Bennett for the last couple of months,” Peterson said. “As a former number one draft choice he brings quality and experience to the Chiefs and he is still a young running back. Michael has had a 1,000-yard rushing season and has been to a Pro Bowl. He will be utilized to back up Larry Johnson and be involved in our group of running backs as soon as he arrives in camp.”

The Chiefs are only on the hook for the salary portion of the two-year contract Bennett signed in the spring with New Orleans. The Saints on the other hand are responsible for his signing bonus. That number will be accelerated against their cap this season.

The one time Pro Bowl running back spent his entire career with the Minnesota Vikings until he signed a free agent contract with New Orleans this spring.

The former Wisconsin Badger has totaled 3,174 yards rushing in five NFL seasons. His best season came in 2002 with the Vikings when he ran for 1,296 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Since then he’s struggled, but he won’t have to carry the load in Kansas City. The Chiefs wanted a veteran backup for Larry Johnson, especially given the unknown status of veteran Priest Holmes.

"He's still has not been medically cleared to practice," Peterson said about Holmes.

All of a sudden, the backfield in Kansas City is crowded. The Chiefs signed former Broncos running back Quentin Griffin to compete with Dee Brown for the backup spot this off-season.

Rookie free agent Derek Ross has also been impressive in training camp. Now with Bennett in the fold, the Chiefs can afford to keep a guy like Ross over Griffin and Brown.

Several NFC teams were interested in Bennett, but the Chiefs won out because the Saints didn’t want to trade him within the conference.

He became available when New Orleans reached a contract agreement with rookie running back Reggie Bush.

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