Martellus Bennett: 5 best fits in NFL free agency
By John Buhler
Tight end Martellus Bennett is a Super Bowl champion that is about to hit free agency. Here are five good fits for him to sign with this offseason.
In the final year of his contract with the Chicago Bears, tight end Martellus Bennett was traded to the New England Patriots for a sixth-round pick. Bennett was brought in to be the Patriots’ heavily used No. 2 tight end alongside perennial Pro Bowler Rob Gronkowski.
While New England got almost nothing out of Gronkowski this past season, Bennett had one of his better years in the NFL with the Patriots. Bennett had 73 catches for 701 yards and a career-high seven touchdown receptions. Let’s not forget that Bennett won his first Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Patriots.
Though he was a big part of the New England this season, Bennett could have been more explosive as the No. 1 tight end in the playoffs. He will hit free agency this spring. Here are the five best fits for the veteran NFL tight end.
Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC, South
After starring for the Denver Broncos, tight end Julius Thomas has massively disappointed in his two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thomas was hurt most of 2015 while quarterback Blake Bortles flourished. Bortles floundered last year and Thomas was lost in the lackluster Jaguars passing game.
Jacksonville will have to make a tough decision on the status of Thomas’ contract. Do they release him and how much salary with the Jaguars have to eat? Expect Jacksonville to find a reliable security blanket to help bring Bortles back to good this offseason should the Jaguars part ways with Thomas.
Bennett would make a great deal of sense as Thomas’ replacement at tight end in North Florida. He’s already won a championship and been to a Pro Bowl as a member of the 2014 Bears. Bennett could get paid to catch passes from Bortles in Nathaniel Hackett’s Jaguars offense.
Jacksonville will have a projected $64,982,963 for general manager David Caldwell to work with. New head coach Doug Marrone is an offensive mind, specializing in offensive line play and protection schemes. It seems only natural that he would want a tight end to be a crucial part of his offense in Jacksonville.
Caldwell might be reticent to break the bank on a tight end after failing with Thomas. However does seem to have a need a tight end. The Jaguars could pay a premium to land Bennett this offseason.