Packers Release TE Martellus Bennett For Failure To Disclose Medical Condition

Field Yates is reporting that the Packers have released TE Martellus Bennett with a failure to disclose medical condition designation on Wednesday.

Ian Rapoport points out that the only reason to use this designation is if they argue his contract is void and they could go after some of the money they’ve paid him up to this point including his $8 million signing bonus.

This is a stunning move, considering that the Packers just signed him to a three-year, $21 million contract this offseason. However, Bennett has been sidelined with a shoulder injury and it appears as though it was worse than they thought when they gave him this deal.

Bennett previously announced (NFLTR) via his Instagram account that he plans to finish out the 2017 season and possibly retire from the NFL.

Before he can sign with another team, and assuming this is something he’s even interested in, Bennett will need to clear waivers on Thursday. However, with the medical issue and his salary, you can expect no teams to place a claim for him.

Bennett, 30, is a former second-round pick of the Cowboys back in 2008. He’s currently in the first year of his three-year, $21 million contract and stands to make base salaries of $3.6 million and $5.65 million over the next two years of the agreement.

In 2017, Bennett has appeared in seven games and caught 24 passes for 233 yards receiving and no touchdowns for the Packers.