Eagles' Bennett is prioritizing winning, calls reduced role 'test of character'

Defensive end Michael Bennett has been forced to reinvent himself following a March trade from the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles.

One of the main faces of a Seahawks defense long viewed with envy league-wide, the 10-year veteran is now playing a reduced role as a rotational piece in a unit aiming to push the Eagles to another championship.

"I think it's always a test of character when you have to reinvent yourself or do something that you're not comfortable with or find a way to find some comfort in it when you're not comfortable, but to find a way to contribute in any type of way," Bennett said, according to ESPN's Tim McManus.

"When you've got great leadership like Malcolm Jenkins, Fletcher Cox, Chris Long, all these great players, you just have to find a way to contribute on the team."

The three-time Pro Bowler has played in all four games to start the 2018 season. However, it took him until Week 4, an overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans, to record his first sack with his new team.

The 32-year-old ranks fourth among Eagles defensive linemen while playing 54.7 percent of the team's defensive snaps, according to Football Outsiders. He led the Seahawks' D-line in three of the previous four seasons, playing more than 80 percent of the snaps each year.

Bennett says the goal of winning another championship is ahead of his desire for more playing time.

"You always want to play more, but in this situation you just want to win," he said. "When you have a good quarterback, a good running game, you just want to win the game. We have a great defense, and I think for me it's just wanting to win a championship. Playing with some great players, and the opportunity to play here is always a blessing."

The 2-2 Eagles will host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5 in a rematch of the 2018 NFC Championship Game.