New England Patriots Free Agency: 3 Teams Battling for Martellus Bennett?
The New England Patriots will lose some key players once free agency begins. One of those players could be free agent Martellus Bennett.
Martellus Bennett is a Super Bowl champion and teams overpay for Super Bowl champions. Those were the words uttered out of the mouth of the 29-year-old tight end following the New England Patriots Super Bowl LI victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Despite injuries throughout most of the season, Bennett was an integral part of the Patriots’ offense last season. When Rob Gronkowski was healthy, the two tight ends made an unstoppable duo. When Gronkowski was not on the field, Bennett was able to step up in both the passing game and played more of a blue-collar role by becoming more of a blocking tight end.
In all, Martellus Bennett became the ultimate Patriot on the field. His 55 receptions for 701 yards and seven touchdown receptions was more than serviceable and contributed to the team’s interest in bringing him back.
Though Bennett has expressed interest in returning to a place he loves playing, the fact that he turned down a $7 million per year offer from the Patriots during the season means he will not take a hometown discount. That could mean Bennett is a goner, especially with two other AFC teams expressing interest and with some money to throw around.
2 nuggets as I head home from the Combine: Pats remain interested in bringing back Marty Bennett, though Jags & Raiders are interested, too
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 4, 2017
Overall, I think there could be three other teams would be a fit for Martellus Bennett and possibly a couple more. And as far as bidding goes, there is always some unexpected team that comes out of nowhere to sign a player. The Denver Broncos did it twice with Wes Welker and Aqib Talib. Could they do it to the Patriots again?