What you need to know about Martellus Bennett’s contentious return to New England
Here's how the tight end went from being sidelined for the Packers to playing for the Patriots over the course of five days.
Marty B is back. But not without a hitch.
Martellus Bennett’s return to New England has raised the eyebrows of many — in the form of excitement for Patriots fans, displeasure for Packers fans, and confusion for most, if not all, others. After missing two weeks of practice in Green Bay with a shoulder injury, and participating in just one limited practice in New England, Bennett played in his first game since Oct. 22 on Sunday night.
His participation was surprising, albeit impressive, given the circumstances. Less than a week ago, Bennett said he intended to pursue surgery for an ongoing shoulder injury. Yet his plans now appeared to have changed.
Here’s everything you need to know about the muddled situation:
March 10: Signing with the Packers
On Bennett’s 30th birthday, the Green Bay Packers announced that they had signed the veteran tight end to a three-year, $21 million deal. The contract also included a $6.3 million signing bonus. During free agency, Bennett’s reported asking price was $9 million per year — a payout that was considered to be too high for the Patriots to re-sign him.
The #Packers signed 30-year-old TE Martellus Bennett to a 3-year deal for $21M, source said. No incentives. They didn’t get there for Cook
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2017
“I wanted another chance to make a run at it,” the Super Bowl LI champ said during his introductory press conference. “I want to be in a situation where I could win again right now. I have that victory taste in my mouth and I want to taste it again.”
Bennett’s salary was scheduled to be issued as follows: $900,000 this season, $3.6 million (plus a $2 million roster bonus) in 2018, and $5.65 million in 2019.
2017 regular season with the Packers
Bennett played in Green Bay’s first seven games leading up to the team’s bye week. Through the first half of the season, he caught 27 passes for 271 yards and recorded no touchdowns. Following the bye week, however, Bennett practiced just once before popping up on the Packers’ injury report with a hurt shoulder. According to the team, he was “taking a visit or two” to seek more information.
Bennett was listed as one of the team’s inactives for Green Bay’s contest against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 6 and subsequently did not play. He was also ruled out for the Packers’ game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 12. The team said the 30-year-old, who had yet to return to the practice field, was still consulting medical professionals to discuss his persisting shoulder injury.
#Packers coach Mike McCarthy says TE Martellus Bennett (shoulder) is out this week vs. #Bears. He’s still getting opinions on his injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2017
“There’s a number of opinions that he’s working through,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said before a Week 10 practice. “He met with our medical staff [on Nov. 7], so they’re still going through the process, but he will be out against Chicago.”
November 8: Waived by the Packers
Prior to the team’s game against the Bears, Packers general manager Ted Thompson announced that the team had decided to waive Bennett on account of “failure to disclose a physical condition.” Bennett’s agent, Kennard McGuire, declined to comment immediately after the move.
Later that night, Bennett sent out a pair of tweets:
https://twitter.com/MartysaurusRex/status/928798145374339072
https://twitter.com/MartysaurusRex/status/928798696636059648
November 9: Claimed by the Patriots
New England claimed Bennett on waivers late Thursday afternoon, which was announced a mere 24 hours after his release. The former Patriot told reporters that he initially told his agent to advise teams not to claim him because he was “still trying to get the surgery or whatever.”
“When Bill [Belichick] called and said that they claimed me, I was like, ‘No f—— way,” Bennett said.
Last season with the Patriots, he recorded 701 receiving yards and seven touchdowns en route to his first Super Bowl ring.
November 10: Torn rotator cuff
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport relayed Friday morning that Bennett had been suffering from a torn rotator cuff. According to Rapoport, he could try and play through the injury, and should his efforts be unsuccessful, New England would then have the option to list him on injured reserve. Packers News’ Aaron Nagler also reported late Friday morning that McCarthy said the last medical conversation he was involved with in regards to Bennett’s status included talks of “scheduling surgery.”
With Bennett’s condition uncertain, a few Packers were surprised to see him suited up in No. 88 for the Patriots’ Friday practice. Prior to hitting the field, Bennett recalled his exchange with head coach Bill Belichick:
Bill said, ‘Can you practice?’
‘I just want to get some sleep right now. ‘
‘It’s a Friday, just go out and get some snaps.’
Martellus Bennett was at practice today. pic.twitter.com/gU2mEBRYc6
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) November 10, 2017
Although his participation was limited, his attendance signified that he had passed his physical.
November 10: The rant
Bennett posted an angry series of Instagram stories late Friday afternoon that blasted the Packers’ doctor, Dr. Patrick McKenzie. Claiming that his former team was fully aware of the condition of his shoulder, Bennett said that the issue quickly became a battle between his health and the team’s money.
“They tried to f— over me,” he wrote. “Dr. [Patrick] McKenzie trying to cover his own ass. After trying to persuade me to play thru a major injury and me choosing to get surgery. They have access to all my medical records. My shoulder wasn’t where it is now at the beginning of the season. I f—– it up playing for the Packers.”
“They tried to f— me before they thought I would f— them. This was all about the money. All about the money. I get it. But don’t lie, homie. You know wtf was up.”
Here is the complete (and edited) transcript of what #Patriots TE Martellus Bennett posted on Instagram about his shoulder and the #Packers, who declined comment pic.twitter.com/WgnwQqcJkG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 10, 2017
After Bennett’s rant, a number of Packers players, including wide receiver Jordy Nelson and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, spoke up in defense of Dr. McKenzie.
“I’ve been working with Dr. McKenzie for 13 years, and as well as being a phenomenal doctor, he’s also become a close friend,” Rodgers wrote on Instagram. “He’s done surgery on me twice, and I trust him and his opinion implicitly. Doc has always tried to protect me and my future, even if it meant protecting me from myself and my desire to get back on the field before I should.”
November 12: Game against the Broncos
Initially listed as questionable for the Patriots’ Week 10 game in Denver, Bennett traveled with the team and played Sunday night. He recorded three receptions for 38 yards, including a notable catch-and-run play in the first quarter.
.@MartysaurusRex is back with the @Patriots!
27-yard gain! #NEvsDEN #GoPats https://t.co/kPnHjgd4HR
— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2017
His participation raised some questions, however, regarding the validity of his injury. Among the skeptics, retired Packers tight end Tom Crabtree has been one of the most active, voicing on Twitter that he believes Bennett is “a liar” and “a fraud.”
He needed surgery 48hrs ago and now is playing in an NFL game hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐#shayne https://t.co/iXdLsAkSMl— Tom Crabtree (@itsCrab) November 13, 2017
But Bennett is not fazed the criticism from any of his former teams. He told reporters after the game: “I’m rubber and you’re glue. Anything you say bounces off me and sticks to you.”
Martellus Bennett’s reaction to criticism from his former team?
“I’m rubber, you’re glue. Anything you say bounces off of me and sticks to you.” pic.twitter.com/AGnjdSMHZO
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) November 13, 2017
When asked about the current status of his shoulder, Bennett’s response seemed to imply that he no longer plans to move forward with the surgery.
“I talked to six or seven doctors about it, and it could go either way,” he said. “It was like one of those things I felt I should get fixed. After trying to get it fixed and getting waived, you just get that vengeance in your heart. You’re like, ‘Alright, if that’s how you’re going to do it, then f— it, let’s go ball.'”
He added later: “I told the guys in order for the phoenix to be reborn, he must first turn to ashes.”
The aftermath
In their postgame press conferences, both Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady said they were happy to have their Marty back; however, the Packers’ chapter in Bennett’s book has not yet been closed.
According to Rapoport, sources say Green Bay intends to go after their ex-player’s money. Rapoport reports it is currently unclear whether they will go after the entire $6.3 million signing bonus or just the pro-rated portion, which amounts to $4.2 million. Although the Packers have not yet filed a grievance, they have over a month to act.
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/928386900540477441
