Last year, tight end Martellus Bennett told the Packers that he was planning on retiring after the season. As a result, the Packers released Bennett midway through the year, paving the way for the Patriots to claim him. The change of scenery has apparently changed his plans as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that Bennett wants to continue playing. 
Whether the Patriots will seek to move forward with him, however, is unclear. Bennett is due a $2MM roster bonus on March 14, so New England may look to cut bait before that date. Meanwhile, his $6.2MM cap hit isn’t exorbitant and could be worthwhile if he is healthy and fully committed to football.
Bennett had a great year for the Patriots in 2016, hauling in 55 receptions for 701 yards and seven touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Packers, he didn’t deliver after signing a three-year, $21MM deal with them in free agency. In seven games, he had just 24 receptions, 233 yards, and zero touchdowns. Some in Green Bay believed that Bennett starting phoning it in after Aaron Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone, which led the team to bail on him in November. The Patriots had Bennett on the field for two weeks before having to place him on IR.
The Patriots need to make two determinations. The first is whether Bennett is able to play and wants to play. If the answer to both is yes, the second is taking a guess at his free agent value. If the Pats see Bennett getting less than $6.2MM on the open market – which is quite possible since the perception is that he quit on the Packers – there could be room to negotiate.
Nobody should sign this guy, he’s a quitter.
Imagine the amount of whining that happens at this families holidays, Bennett babies bawling
Scientific fact: Bennett’s desire to continue playing is based on his proximity to a healthy Top 5 QB.
Guy is nearly impossible to respect. Will only participate and do things if they’re exactly how he sees fit. Definition of not a team player.
Him (and his brother) do a ton of community service and charity work during the offseason. So I wouldn’t say he’s impossible to respect.
Hope he never plays another game
Martellus Bennett wants to get paid for quitting again. Fixed it for you.
Haters love to hate. Hope he’s back in ne if healthy. He’s a force with Brady
And jagoffs do jagoff things. Line Bennett.
If he doesn’t get signed he’ll claim racism
The NFL needs to make an example out of this guy. He quits on a team and now he expects teams to line up for him. What happens if Brady gets hurt or aging catches up with him? He’ll do the same thing.
He’s not really worth it
He’s not worth it