Martellus Bennett had a season to forget in 2017 because of injuries and other circumstances, and the veteran tight end hinted back in October that he was planning to retire. However, that is apparently not a decision he has made just yet.
In an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” on Wednesday, Bennett was asked if he will sign with a team for the 2018 season.
“Right now I’m just living life and trying to figure out what I want to do next,” Bennett said. “Is it to continue to play? Is it to explore other options? What is it that I want to do? After 10 years, it takes such a toll not only on your body but in a mental capacity overall. I don’t have to play. I play football because it’s fun. I enjoy stiff-arming people and jumping over people and competing with my friends, stuff like that.”
Bennett said he has been working out and preparing as though he will play in 2018, and he isn’t ruling out waiting until after training camp begins to make his decision. If he did take that route, he doesn’t think it would take him much time to catch up.
“There’s only so many offenses in the NFL,” Bennett said. “Learning an offense now is one of the easier things, because you know how to crack the code. I’ve played with seven different offensive coordinators or something like that, so there’s only so much you can do.”
Bennett signed a three-year contract with the Green Bay Packers last offseason, but he was waived in November after the team said he failed to disclose a shoulder injury. Bennett’s agent then supposedly dissuaded teams from picking up his client off waivers because of his shoulder, though the tight end changed his mind once the Patriots showed interest and decided to sign with them. Bennett was ripped by several of his former teammates in Green Bay after he rejoined the Pats.
If he’s healthy, Bennett should have plenty of suitors. He played a big role on a Patriots team that won the Super Bowl two years ago, and he’s only 31.
