Martellus Bennett to sign with Chicago Bears

Martellus Bennett had 55 catches for 626 receiving yards in 2012, a career high. (Jim O'Connor/USA TODAY Sports) The Chicago Bears badly needed an upgrade at
Martellus Bennett to sign with Chicago Bears
Martellus Bennett to sign with Chicago Bears /

Martellus Bennett had 55 catches for 626 receiving yards in 2012, a career high. (Jim O'Connor/USA TODAY Sports)

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The Chicago Bears badly needed an upgrade at tight end, after a season in which Kellen Davis slumped to a measly 19 catches. Help appears to be on the way in the form of Martellus Bennett.

Bennett made 55 receptions for 626 yards and five touchdowns during a career year with the New York Giants. Prior to that he caught 85 balls and scored four times over four seasons with the Cowboys.

Bennett himself tweeted news of his imminent move to Chicago:

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Content is unavailable

It looked for awhile like Bennett would stay put in New York, but the Bears certainly will benefit from his decision to look elsewhere.

Chicago was thought to be a contender for Tennessee tight end Jared Cook, who might be the best available player at that position. However, Bennett no doubt will carry a smaller price tag. This move works for Chicago, then, even if there was a player with a higher upside out there.

Grade: B-plus. Only landing Cook would have been a better haul for Chicago.


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Chris Burke
CHRIS BURKE

Chris Burke covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated and is SI.com’s lead NFL draft expert. He joined SI in 2011 and lives in Ann Arbor, Mich.