Shortly after New England’s stunning Super Bowl LI victory over Atlanta on Sunday, Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett made it clear that he’s eyeing a significant raise this offseason.
“I’m going into free agency as a Super Bowl champion,” he told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). “You know they overpay Super Bowl champions!”
The Patriots’ acquisition of Bennett last offseason proved to be a fruitful move for both sides in 2016. Despite dealing with an ankle injury that will likely require surgery, Bennett emerged as a key part of a Patriots offense that mostly went without superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Bennett hauled in 55 receptions, seven touchdowns and 701 yards on 73 targets during the regular season and was a notable part of their triumph over the Falcons. In what could go down as his final game with the Patriots, Bennett nabbed five catches for 62 yards. Moreover, the overtime pass interference penalty he drew on linebacker De’Vondre Campbell on Atlanta’s 2-yard line set up running back James White‘s championship-winning touchdown plunge two plays later.
Now, having helped the Patriots to their fifth title, the soon-to-be 30-year-old Bennett could join his fifth franchise when free agency opens in March. The Patriots are clearly interested in preventing that from happening, though, as they and the nine-year veteran held extension talks during the season and are likely to continue discussing a new deal over the next month. If no agreement comes to fruition, Bennett will take his 403-catch, 30-score, championship-winning resume to the open market.
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Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Ain’t this the guy who said he’s not joining his teammates on their trip to the White House?
Join the hawks and be with your bro Michael!
Why go to a worse team? I don’t think that Seattle has the cap room for him and the holes they need to fix.
They also have Jimmy Graham…
Yes and for good reason.
This guy played great for NE this season. He did whatever they asked of him and seemed happy to do it. He was a sound bite gold mine too! I hope he stays in NE, but I doubt the Pats will pay him.
It is confusing how 1 min he says he loves this team and he wants to be here….then the next minute turn into greedy Revis!
Because he already got his ring, now he’s chasing dollars. I don’t get why some of these players are willing to go to hell hole teams like Cle/jax/etc just to get 10-15% more vs staying on proven contenders.
NE has played in 6 straight AFC Championship games, who else is going to give you the year in year out chance to play in the playoffs like that? Very few.
I’d put money on him going to the Packers. I know they don’t like to chase but free agents but I see TE as a big need for them as well as RB if they let Lacy walk. Maybe the Packers focus on RB and bring back Cook or go after Julius Thomas if he is cut but I think Bennett would be a good fit for them. Maybe my 9ers go after Garapollo in a trade and sign Bennett. They seemed to have a good connection during the little time they played together.
I put all my money on the Jets signing him.
And still finishing below .500
Packers won’t tolerate his antics
What antics? If there was a place it wouldn’t be tolerated it is NE. He was fine here.
The word is out on him. He’s a locker room cancer. Selfish. Not going to see the money he or his idiot brother thinks he will get.
Huh? Marty Bennett cancer and selfish? What planet are you living on? He was a model citizen in the Pats locker room.
I am hoping he is pulling a Moss and will fish around the league for the best offer, then take a little less from NE.
So, the Browns, Bears and 49ers want Jimmy G. They will need to give up a 1st round pick n more. They hold 1, 2 and 3 respectively…(Browns also have 12)
Things are looking good for the Pats, Thanks Goodell!
Your not getting a top 3 pick for him. Sorry
Lot of people told me at half time they were sorry the pats weren’t winning the super bowl either… funny how things change
The big bucks…
I would bet the farm the Patriots offer him a decent contract but they won’t max him out! Remember they signed Rob Housler to a futures deal in December. Housler is a u ique style of TE, he’s 6’5″weighs in at 245 and runs a 4.5 40. He had some success with the AZ Cards 2 years back.
pay him for Bennett should be resign here in new England and keep them around danny a and Bennett as the pats resign him soon! jared!
I hope Bennett will come back to the pats for 1 more season in 2017