The Packers have cut tight end Martellus Bennett, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move comes days after Bennett announced that he is considering retirement after the 2017 season. According to the NFL’s transactions wire, the Packers dropped the tight end with a “Failure to Disclose Physical Condition designation.”
Bennett, 30, joined the Packers on a three-year, $21MM deal in the spring. The Packers may look to recoup some of that money. To date, the Packers have paid out about $8MM to the tight end.
He was great with the Patriots in 2016, but he was unable to replicate that production in Green Bay. His Packers tenure ends after he hauled in just 24 receptions, 233 yards, and zero touchdowns in seven games.
It’s not immediately clear whether Bennett will look to continue his career or if he’ll get a head start on retirement.
“After conversations with my family I’m pretty sure these next 8 games will be the conclusion of my NFL career,” Bennett wrote on social media in late October. “To everyone who has poured themselves and time into my life and career. These next games are for you. Thank you.”
If Bennett does seek employment, he’ll become the hottest property on the midseason free agent market. Despite his struggles in 2017, he’s just one year removed from hauling in 55 receptions for 701 yards and seven touchdowns for the Patriots.
Great job Ted Thompson. Just another example of his massive failures as the Packers GM. He needs to go already and so does McCarthy
Wow!! Wait to see what he did not disclose! This is not necessarily the Packers fault!
But I’d still sue in Federal Court!
When Ted signed Bennett in the off season every Packer fan was excited and Happy Ted plunged into Free Agency. You cannot get on Thompson’s back for this one. Easy for you to judge in hindsight.
I said from day 1 of free agency Jared Cook needed to be re signed. Singing Bennett was the wrong fit for team. Cook already had proven chemistry with Rodgers.
lol I’d roll the dice with Martellus too over Cook
Yet it’s Jared Cook who’s excelling in Oakland. Cook shoulda stayed in GB.
Cook wouldn’t excel here though, GB doesn’t use the TE!!!
Aaron Rogers hates tight ends!
I didn’t hear much excitement over the Bennet signing, more like optimism. Ted can leave, keep McCarthy and fire Capers. Defense has had too much talent and continues to underperform year in and out.
GB should never go after a big named TE with Rodgers as QB. TE’s with Rodgers have always underperformed; except 1 Year with Finley.
Agreed!
Aaron hates tight ends.
Agreed Capers has to go. We’ve used top draft picks for multiple years and still we can’t get pressure on the qb and our secondary gets shredded bc of it. We should go back to the 4-3 and get a consistent pass rush.
See ya
Should have resigned cook instead…..
Yeah, cuz Cook really wanted to stay here and not get used properly. Aaron hates tight ends.
Really curious to see what comes of this and if he continues to play. I’m sure if he does sign somewhere he will go to a contender but I hope the 9ers get him to pair him up with Jimmy G the rest of he year to give him some sort of familiarity while taking over a new team the rest of the season
No chance he signs with an 0-8 team ..
I thoughtJimmy G was going to be the back up so you want to bring in Bennett to sit on the bench with him?
I would think if he goes any where in the NFCW It would be Seattle. He could play with his brother and help the TE’s with blocking. Plus why would he want to go to that dumpster fire in Santa Clara?
That’s a ton of bench chemistry and you can never have too much of that
Or he could go back to NE and win another ring….hmmm.
That’s what Brian Hoyer is doing. Smart move.
Reunion with NE? Bill doesn’t seem to like Dwayne Allen much.
Steelers need a TE
Aaron Rogers Hates Tight Ends
once again it’s never Ted Thompson’s fault the guy maybe one good pic over this whole time was Will Rogers and hasn’t done anything since he is definitely no Run Wolf personally I’m surprised he hasn’t fired wolf son so he doesn’t have to worry about it
McCarthy is horrible as well, he doesn’t know how to use the TE. It’s not like Cook did much in GB, now he’s a stud in Oak???