New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett reportedly plans on continuing his football career, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Friday.
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Bennett publicly admitted that he was contemplating retirement previously, but will instead return for his 10th NFL season.
Despite publicly contemplating retirement last season, #Patriots TE Martellus Bennett does want to continue playing, I’m told. He’s due a $2M roster bonus on March 14, so New England has a decision… but his $6.2M cap hit isn’t bad.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 23, 2018
It's worth noting that Bennett said he'd consider retirement while he was still a member of the Green Bay Packers, which resulted in a tumultuous release.
The Pro Bowler was placed on waivers by Green Bay following a shoulder injury and re-joined the Patriots — who he played for during the previous season — in November. However, Bennett appeared in just two games for New England before being placed on IR due to the same shoulder injury, as well as a hamstring ailment.
The Patriots owe Bennett a $2 million roster bonus on March 14 and would then need to pay him the remaining amount due on his three-year, $21 million deal with the Packers during the next two seasons, which would include a cap hit of just under $6.2 million and $6.5 million respectively.
The 30-year-old recorded 30 receptions for 286 yards in 2017, which followed 55 catches for 701 yards and seven touchdowns during the previous season.
Obviously, New England will have to decide whether it wants to keep Bennett around for the second consecutive offseason now that he's confirmed his decision to keep playing.
