The Green Bay Packers have had their fair share of successful and unsuccessful free-agent acquisitions throughout the years. While the team traditionally builds through the draft, they have occasionally dipped into free agency to supplement their roster. Some signings, like Charles Woodson and Julius Peppers, became iconic figures for the franchise. Others, however, turned into disappointments. One of the most glaring examples of a free-agent signing that didn’t pan out was tight end Martellus Bennett.
The Signing: High Hopes for a Proven Veteran
In March 2017, the Packers signed Martellus Bennett to a three-year, $21 million contract, hoping he would provide a significant boost to the team’s offense. At the time, Green Bay had been searching for a reliable tight end to complement Aaron Rodgers and fill the void left by Jared Cook, who had an impactful but brief tenure with the team before departing for the Oakland Raiders.
Bennett was coming off a strong season with the New England Patriots, where he played a key role in their Super Bowl LI victory. He finished the 2016 season with 55 receptions for 701 yards and seven touchdowns. With that kind of production, the expectation was that he would be a dangerous weapon for Rodgers in an already potent offense.
The Reality: A Disastrous Stint in Green Bay
Unfortunately, Bennett’s time in Green Bay did not go as planned. From the start of the 2017 season, it became evident that he was not fitting into the Packers’ system. His performance on the field was lackluster, and he struggled with dropped passes and a lack of chemistry with Rodgers. Through seven games, he managed just 24 catches for 233 yards and no touchdowns—a stark contrast to his productive year in New England.
Off the field, things quickly unraveled. In early November, Bennett claimed he had a shoulder injury that would require surgery, leading the Packers to place him on the waiver wire. This move came just one day after the team ruled him out for their Week 10 game against the Chicago Bears.
Controversy and Fallout
The situation took an even more bizarre turn when the Packers released Bennett with the rarely used “failure to disclose a medical condition” designation. Green Bay essentially accused him of not being forthcoming about his injury before signing his contract. This sparked a public feud between Bennett and the Packers, with the tight end taking to social media to blast the team’s medical staff. He accused them of pressuring him to play through his injury, a claim the organization denied.
Despite being cut by the Packers, Bennett was quickly claimed off waivers by the Patriots, rejoining his former team. In a twist that fueled controversy, he suited up for New England almost immediately and played in a few games before ultimately landing on injured reserve. This led to speculation that he had exaggerated his injury to force his way out of Green Bay.
The Aftermath: Financial and Locker Room Implications
The fallout from Bennett’s release was costly for the Packers. Not only did they fail to get significant contributions from him, but his release also had salary cap ramifications. Because of the way his contract was structured, Green Bay was left with a $4.2 million dead cap hit in 2018.
Beyond financial implications, Bennett’s brief tenure left a sour taste in the locker room. Some players and fans felt betrayed by the way he handled his departure. The entire saga highlighted the risks involved in free agency, especially when investing in veteran players with strong personalities.
Lessons Learned: How the Packers Moved Forward
Bennett’s failure in Green Bay served as a cautionary tale for the organization. The Packers remained wary of big-money free-agent signings at the tight end position in the years that followed. Instead, they shifted their focus to developing young talent and making more calculated acquisitions.
The team also learned to be more meticulous with medical evaluations in free agency. While it’s impossible to predict every injury or personality clash, the experience with Bennett reinforced the importance of thorough due diligence before signing players to lucrative contracts.
Conclusion: A Signing Best Forgotten
Martellus Bennett’s time with the Packers was one of the most disappointing free-agent acquisitions in recent franchise history. What was supposed to be a game-changing addition to the offense quickly became a season-long distraction and an expensive mistake. His lack of production, coupled with the messy exit, made his signing a regrettable move for Green Bay.
The Packers have since rebounded from this misstep, but Bennett’s tenure remains a reminder of how unpredictable free agency can be. While some signings pay off handsomely, others, like Bennett’s, serve as cautionary examples of why Green Bay typically relies on drafting and developing talent rather than making splashy free-agent moves.
