Bears Unlikely To Give TE Martellus Bennett A New Deal, Will Allow Him To Hold Out

Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report spoke to a Bears’ insider about TE Martellus Bennett and his holdout.

Cole’s source mentioned that while Bennett is coming off of a career year for the Bears, they were 5-11 with him playing his best football, so it’s not like they’re going to be significantly worse off without him.

According to Cole, the Bears are more than willing to allow Bennett to continue his holdout. Cole adds that Chicago won’t do anything in regards to a new contract for Bennett unless it’s to their advantage.

Previous reports have said that the Bears were fielding trade offers for Bennett. However, the draft came and went without much in regards to a trade for the veteran tight end.

Bennett, 28, still has two years remaining on his four-year, $20.4 million contract that included $5.215 million guaranteed. He stands to make base salaries of $4.9 million (2015) and $5.085 million (2016) over the remainder of the contract.

According to OverTheCap.com, trading Bennett would free up $3,875,000 in available cap space while creating $2,250,000 in dead money.

In 2014, Bennett appeared in all 16 games for the Bears and caught 90 passes for 916 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 6 tight end out of 67 qualifying players.