Martellus Bennett: 5 best fits in NFL free agency
By John Buhler
New England Patriots
AFC, East
Let’s be real. Bennett is probably a one-year guy with the Patriots. He sufficed a glaring need in Josh McDaniels’ offense as a strong No. 2 tight end. Bennett elevated his stock heading into free agency and won a Super Bowl in the process.
However, Bennett just doesn’t feel like a player built to stick with the Patriots for the long-term. The Patriots will exercise their franchise tag this offseason, but almost certainly not on Bennett. New England’s No. 1 free agency move is to bring back linebacker Dont’a Hightower, either through a multi-year extension or slapping him with the pricey $14.6 million franchise tag.
Bennett would only garner a $9.8 million franchise tag as a tight end for the Patriots. There is no way that he can convince an arbitrator he classifies as a wide receiver worth a $15.7 million tag. Bennett is not a Jimmy Graham at tight end. He was specifically traded for to be the No. 2 tight end for the Patriots and probably nothing more.
That being said, New England has a ton of cap space heading into next season. Head coach Bill Belichick will have $62,946,093 to work with this spring. Re-signing Hightower is imperative after trading away other linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns.
Unless Hightower shockingly walks or Gronkowski’s health this offseason is a major concern, it is highly unlikely that Bennett will get a new contract with New England. The Patriots can afford him, but he does not feel like an ideal culture fit in Foxborough.