In a surprising, seemingly out-of-nowhere move Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers released tight end Martellus Bennett, claiming he failed to disclose a medical condition. Bennett had started seven of the team’s eight games this season, catching 24 passes for 233 yards.
Bennett will now be available on waivers for the other 31 NFL teams, who have until Thursday afternoon to place a claim. If the veteran tight end is healthy, there should be a substantial market for him. If he isn’t, he may have played his last NFL game.
Rarely does an in-season waiver situation generate excitement. But former #Packers TE Martellus Bennett goes on waivers now. Every team has a chance to claim him and the remaining money on his contract.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2017
Shortly before the Packers announced Bennett’s release, coach Mike McCarthy told reporters the tight end would not play Sunday due to a shoulder injury that also kept him out of Green Bay’s game against Detroit on Monday.
By releasing Bennett with the “failure to disclose a medical condition” designation, the Packers give themselves a chance to save a little cash. Per ESPN, the team is positioned to file a grievance to reclaim the prorated $4.2 million remaining on his $8 million signing bonus.
The #Packers paid TE Martellus Bennett $8M of his 3-year, $21M contract. The only tangible benefit to cutting him with the failure to disclose is if they argue his entire contract is void & go after his money. This isn’t over just yet.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2017
Though we don’t yet know exactly what happened between Bennett and the Packers, it seems likely that his injury is somewhat serious. At 4-4, Green Bay is in the middle of a playoff race, and if the team thought Bennett could help secure a postseason spot, it probably would not have let him go for a few million dollars in savings. The Packers’ other two tight ends, Richard Rodgers and Lance Kendricks, have a total of 12 catches this season.
If Bennett’s injury is indeed substantial, it’s more than possible he could call it quits on a 10-year career. The 30-year-old said last month he was “pretty sure” he would retire after this season, explaining that decision with only the word, “life” (He has previously said of football, I ain’t dying for this shit). If he stands to miss considerable time, he could simply decide to hang up his cleats a couple months early.
And if Bennett is done playing, the NFL will lose a solid tight end and an A+ character.
