Veteran tight end Martellus Bennett gave an in-depth answer regarding Tom Brady and how he is as a teammate and a leader for the New England Patriots. In an interview on the “Bill Simmons Podcast," Bennett compared Brady to Tom Cruise’s role as Ethan Hunt in the movie "Mission Impossible": “He’s like really calm and articulate with the plays,” said Bennett, who played alongside Brady for the 2016 season and part of the 2017 season. Bennett said Brady is also open to suggestion on plays and open to comments on missed plays. “There’s been games where maybe I got one pass thrown my way,” Bennett said.
“And after the game, Tom, he’ll come and say, ‘Hey I should have gotten you the ball at least four more times today, I just missed you.’”
Bennett still communicates with Brady
In the 2016 season, Bennett caught 55 passes for 701 yards and seven touchdowns. The following season, Bennett signed a three-year deal with the Green Bay Packers worth $21 million, including a $6.3 million signing bonus. However, the Packers released the 31-year-old Bennett after just seven games for his alleged failure to disclose a shoulder injury. During his stint with the Packers, Bennett tallied just 24 catches for 233 yards and no touchdowns. After that, he signed with the Patriots, where he played just two games, catching two passes for 53 yards before he was placed on injured reserve in November, ending his season.
Despite being a free agent, Bennett continues to talk to Brady via text and Instagram direct message.
Bennett could return to Patriots
The Patriots released Bennett in a move to clear around $6 million in salary cap room, but the tight end said there’s a possibility that he could return to New England to play alongside Brady.
“I mean, yeah. It came up in conversation." The Patriots could sign Bennett to a lower deal, especially with the uncertainty surrounding tight end Rob Gronkowski, who is still contemplating retirement. However, Bennett told NFL.com that he’s still contemplating what to do next. In case he decides to return, Bennett keeps himself in playing shape by working out.
“I play football because it’s fun. I enjoy stiff-arming people, jumping over people and competing with my friends and things like that,” said Bennett. A 61st overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2008 NFL Draft, Bennett also played for the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants in his 10-year NFL stint. In his career, Bennett has caught 433 passes for 4,573 yards and 30 touchdowns in 144 games.
