New England Patriots

Patriots land tight end Martellus Bennett from Bears

Published Mar. 16, 2016 7:34 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

The New England Patriots are not slowing down in the offseason. A day after trading Chandler Jones to the Cardinals then signing Chris Long, the Patriots acquired tight end Martellus Bennett from the Chicago Bears, FOX Sports Insider Peter Schrager confirmed Wednesday.

Martellus Bennett deal done. Traded to Patriots from Bears. Talks been going on for past few days. @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 16, 2016

The Bears will also send a sixth-round pick to New England and will get a fourth-rounder in return, ESPN reported.

Bennett, 29, caught 53 passes for 439 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games for the Bears last season.

The move allows the Patriots to play a multiple tight end set, which they used effectively in years past with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

Bennett has bounced around during his eight-year career, after being drafted in the second round by the Cowboys in 2008. He spent one season with the Giants in 2012, then moved on to the Bears.

Bennett had a breakout season in 2014, catching 90 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns.