Martellus Bennett with the Patriots. FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: Martellus Bennett #88 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first half at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

There is only so much room on New England’s roster for one highly-paid tight end, and that likely means Martellus Bennett will be playing elsewhere in 2017.

Bennett will reportedly test the free agent waters this offseason, which is expected to mean he will move on from the New England Patriots after one season. With Rob Gronkowski already being paid $9 million, managing to reach an agreeable contract that both the Patriots and Bennett will feel is fair seems uncertain. Unless Bennett is willing to take a lower contract than what he may be offered from other potential suitors around the NFL, which is not unheard of for the Patriots, then it should be expected he will land on a new NFL team for the 2017 season once free agency officially opens next month.

The Patriots had previously offered Bennett a $7 million contract, but he rejected the offer. Bennett has suggested before that there is a tendency for teams around the league to overpay for a player that just won a Super Bowl, which seems to be true based on empirical evidence. It is Bennett’s hope that pays off for him this offseason, quite literally.

Bennett had five receptions for 62 yards in the Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons and five receptions for 32 yards in the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He ended the 2016 season with 701 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, including a three-touchdown performance against the Cleveland Browns in early October. He started 12 games for the Patriots and then each of New England’s postseason games.

The Patriots should still be expected to show interest in Bennett, but unless they can come up from their previous $7 million offer to compete with any potential offers flying Bennett’s way, odds are Bennett will take the money and run to a new team in 2017.

[NFL.com]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.