Michael Bennett envisions Defensive POTY this year

There is no telling who will win the NFL’s end-of-the-year awards going into the 2016 season, but at least one player seems confident in his chances. Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Michael Bennett is thinking he could be the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Bennett spoke with ESPN recently and talked about the intense training he has gone through the last few months. He said that he feels like he could end up winning the award and that it would be great for his confidence going forward.

I’m feeling really defensive MVP-ish right now, the way I’ve been training, the way that my body feels,” Bennett said. “I think I’ve definitely got a chance to be up there with the top guys, to be one of the top defensive players in the NFL. I wouldn’t be surprised if I was defensive MVP. I think the only difference between me and the top guys is that they made a couple more plays than me. I missed a couple sacks. Those sacks could ultimately put me over the top. If I get 14, 15 sacks, we’re talking about a top player in the league. So statistically, quarterback hits, [tackles for loss], everything behind the line of scrimmage, that’s what I do. I’m the king of that. So I just want to improve that every year.”

Bennett has never received any votes in the race for Defensive Player of the Year, but he has been steadily improving over the last few seasons. He had his best season in 2015, recording 10 sacks.

Michael Bennett should not feel bad, however. J.J. Watt doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon as he goes for a fourth Defensive Player of the Year award. It would take a near record-breaking season for Bennett or any other defensive player to unseat Watt, the odds-on favorite to win, in 2016.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

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