Tight end Martellus Bennett has played with different quarterbacks in his career. In his first four NFL seasons, he caught passes from Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys. He played one season with Eli Manning and the New York Giants, and spent three years with the Chicago Bears playing alongside Jay Cutler.
He was given a chance to play with Tom Brady when he was traded by the Bears to the New England Patriots where he picked up a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl LI. During his stint with the Patriots, he caught 55 passes for 701 yards and seven touchdowns, as the team’s top tight end (All-Pro Rob Gronkowski) was out with an injury.
Bennett’s stellar performance with the Patriots enticed the Packers to sign him to a three-year deal worth $21 million. Going from one Hall of Famer in Brady, Bennett will have a chance to play with another Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers.
Bennett describes Brady, Rodgers
In an interview with NFL Total Access, Bennett was asked about the difference between Brady and Rodgers, two of the greatest NFL quarterbacks in terms of style of play. "With playing with Tom, it was a lot of coaching -- like little things," Bennett said, adding that Brady wants the “ball out of his hands a little bit faster.” As for Rodgers, Bennett said “his ball is a little bit different. He's a little more athletic, and he can whip things a little bit different." The tight end said he connected easily with Rodgers' style of play, which he hopes could translate to wins in the regular season.
Tight end ranks Rodgers better than Brady
For Bennett, Rodgers is the best quarterback he's ever played with, placing Brady as the second best. He ranked Cutler third, with Manning and Romo placing fourth and fifth, respectively. Bennett clarified that he gave Rodgers a higher ranking because he’s his current quarterback now.
However, the tight end called Brady “arguably the greatest to ever play the game” and described the quarterback as “a great teacher, a great teammate and a great person." After playing with Brady for one season, Bennett said he emerged a better player, learning “how to play and being in a role."
A 61st overall pick by the Cowboys in 2008, Bennett has played 135 games in his nine-year career, tallying 403 catches for 4,287 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Former Packers wide receiver James Jones said Bennett is a welcome addition to the team, saying that Rodgers will have another target to work with, along with Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, and Jordy Nelson.
