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Report: Chicago Bears actively shopping Martellus Bennett

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

It appears that the Martellus Bennett era in Chicago is coming to an end. A recent report from ESPN's Adam Schefter claims that the Bears are working with Bennett's agent, Kennard McGuire, to work out a trade to "an agreeable landing spot."

Bennett skipped the voluntary part of the offseason workout program last year, with the notion that the Bears would re-do his contract. But with two years left on his deal at the time, Bennett really had no leverage. Now with only one year remaining on his original 4 year contract, the Bears appear to have decided that he's not worth the potential distraction.

Last year Bears' general manager Ryan Pace managed to get a 6th round draft pick for aging pass rusher Jared Allen and a 6th for disappointing linebacker Jon Bostic, so if anyone can squeeze some value out of Bennett, it's Pace.

The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs is reporting that if a trade can't be worked out, the Bears will release Bennett.

Once Bennett is gone, that leaves Khari Lee, Marcus Lucas and Gannon Sinclair as the only TEs on the roster. Free agent tight end Zach Miller suddenly has the leverage he needs to get that $5 million per season he's seeking.