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According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chicago Bears are thinking about trading Pro Bowl tight end Martellus Bennett.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Bears entertaining trade offers for Pro Bowl TE Martellus Bennett, per league sources. Bennett wants a new contract in Chicago or anywhere.</p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/593477190425190402">April 29, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Bennett signed a 4 year, $20,400,000 contract with $5,125,000 of it guaranteed in 2013. Since arriving in Chicago, Bennett has compiled back to back career years, culminating with his 1st pro Bowl following the 2014 season. Last year his 90 receptions was most at his position and his 916 yards was 3rd most among tight ends.
With an average salary of $5.1 million, Bennett ranks 13th among tight ends for the 2015 season. The highest paid tight end in the NFL is Jimmy Graham, who makes $10 million per season. Free agent TE Julius Thomas, who had just 43 receptions last year, signed a 5 year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars for $46 million with $24 million of it guaranteed.
Bennett hasn't shown up for any of the Bears' voluntary work outs thus far, instead choosing to work out at the training facility of his former teammate, Brandon Marshall. Bennett's discontent over his contract may have been known to the Bears as far back as March according to Schefter.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Before Seattle traded for Jimmy Graham, it had trade discussions with Bears about Martellus Bennett. Could have been Bennett Bros in SEA.</p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/593489616201752578">April 29, 2015</a></blockquote>
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If the Bears do trade away Bennett, it will leave the roster void of an established pass catching option at the tight end position.
What are your thoughts on this latest development?