Ian Rapoport reports that Patriots impending free agent TE Martellus Bennett will test the free agent market.
According to Rapoport, there is a “real possibility” Bennett could move on from the Patriots based on his asking price and offers this offseason.
Bennett is set to become an unrestricted free agent and is expected to draw considerable interest on the open market. Given he is an ageing veteran, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him pursue a lucrative deal.
Back in November, Rapoport also reported that the Patriots will make extending Bennett a “priority” this offseason, so this is still something worth keeping an eye on.
Bennett, 29, is a former first-round pick of the Cowboys back in 2008. He spent four years in Dallas before joining the Giants as a free agent. The Bears later signed him to a contract only to trade him to the Patriots in return for a fourth-round pick.
Bennett just finished the final year of his four-year, $20.4 million contract that included $5.215 million guaranteed and made a base salary of $5.085 million for the 2016 season.
In 2016, Bennett appeared in all 16 games for the Patriots and caught 55 passes for 701 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 10 tight end out of 63 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2017 Free Agents list.
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