Green Bay Packers

Packers make Martellus Bennett their first big free-agent addition since 2014

Published Mar. 10, 2017 8:02 p.m. ET

Andre Vergara

Happy birthday, Martellus Bennett, who will celebrate turning 30 with a multi-year contract from the Green Bay Packers, according to multiple reports.

https://twitter.com/BenVolin/status/840344445245575168

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/840346662698655744

Bennett becomes the first big free-agent addition since 2014 for a team that builds through the draft and re-signs its own free agents. And Aaron Rodgers apparently likes it.

https://twitter.com/AaronRodgers12/status/840345535064104960

Bennett, who gave the Patriots a valuable second tight end last year when Rob Gronkowski missed significant time with injuries, said goodbye to Pats fans earlier this week after winning a Super Bowl in his only season in New England. He had 55 catches for 701 yards and seven touchdowns, but the Pats weren't willing to break the bank for him and traded for Colts tight end Dwayne Allen this week.

Bennett should be an upgrade from Jared Cook, who caught just 30 balls for 377 yards and a TD in his first season in Green Bay and also is a free agent. Former Packers receiver James Jones thinks Bennett will be the best tight end the team has had since Jermichael Finley, and Finley seems to agree.

https://twitter.com/NFLMedia/status/840353389485543424

https://twitter.com/JermichaelF88/status/840357359411163136