Seattle Seahawks purge of veteran defenders has begun with trade of Michael Bennett to Philadelphia Eagles

There is no question, the dynamics of the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks rivalry is changing.

Coming off missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011, with the strength of the team getting up there in age, changes were imminent, and now they have started.

The Seahawks have started their purge on defense with Michael Bennett, as they have traded the four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman and a seventh round pick to the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles for a fifth round pick and a player to be named.

This on the heels of reports that the Seahawks are parting ways with Richard Sherman, the teeth of the Seattle defense will look much, much different for the first time in years.

Their swift changing of the guard is likely two-fold.

1. Focus more on a balanced team without most of the heavy contracts on defense.
2. Get younger.

Sure, there was speculation of other reasons, but those don't make a ton of sense when you remember that Bennett has been a very vocal and outspoken player for years.

No, this is more about the Seahawks re-tooling their team before it is too late.

For the Arizona Cardinals, this means a whole new defense to learn to hate, which should take no time.