Veteran tight end Martellus Bennett may be with the New England Patriots now, but his stint with the Green Bay Packers will continue to haunt him. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider, the Packers will try to recoup the entire signing bonus that they gave to Bennett when they signed him to a three-year contract worth $21 million. Rapoport said the Packers will use failure to disclose injury as grounds to regain the whole $6.3 million signing bonus or its $4.2 million prorated portion of the contract. Under the rules, a team can take back the signing bonus if a player fails to disclose a pre-existing condition before signing a deal.
The Packers released Bennett due to his failure to disclose an injury, which was later known to be a torn rotator cuff. One day after he was released by the Packers, the Patriots claimed Bennett via the waiver wire. Bennett won a Super Bowl ring with New England last season.
Packers to file grievance
Bennett disputed the Packers’ claim, saying he had it before he signed a contract with the Packers. Bennett also stressed that he passed the necessary physical with the Packers before signing the deal. Bennett also blamed Packers team doctor Pat McKenzie for forcing him to play through an injury. However, Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Jordy Nelson defended McKenzie from Bennett’s allegation.
In his report, Rapoport added a source told him that the Packers have proof in the form of a medical test to show the exact injury Bennett had in New England in 2016. The Packers said they were made aware of what the injury was or how serious it was. Rapoport said the Packers’ claim will become clearer once they file a grievance with the league to recoup all or part of Bennett’s signing bonus.
Packers beat Bears
Quarterback Brett Hundley completed 18-of-25 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown for his first win as the starter as the Packers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 23-16 win over the Chicago Bears Sunday. Davante Adams caught five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown as the Packers (5-4) won for the first time since Rodgers broke his collarbone.
Jamaal Williams ran 20 times for 67 yards while Ty Montgomery carried the ball six times for 54 yards and a score for the Packers. Mitchell Trubisky completed 21-of-35 passes for 297 yards and a touchdown as the Bears slipped to 3-6 after a second straight loss. Dontrelle Inman caught six passes for 88 yards while Joshua Bellamy received two passes for 57 yards and a touchdown for Chicago.