The 2017 NFL free agency market is heating up this afternoon with quite a few players already landing new deals with new teams. Martellus Bennett is one of the top free agents on the market and has made it clear that he is searching for a new home and will not be returning to the New England Patriots.
According to a report from Patriots’ beat reporter Jeff Howe, Bennett and the Oakland Raiders have mutual interest in getting a deal done.
Martellus Bennett and the Raiders have shown heavy mutual interest in one another, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 9, 2017
Bennett would be a huge step forward for the Raiders’ offense. Derek Carr has become one of the young stars in the NFL and could use a security blanket like Bennett could add. He showed once again last season that he is capable of coming up clutch in big situations as well.
Last season with the Patriots, Bennett ended up catching 55 passes for 701 yards and seven touchdowns. He stepped up in a big way during the Patriots’ playoff run when Rob Gronkowski had to be sidelined due to injury.
Oakland was one of the best regular season teams in the NFL last season, but suffered a huge blow just ahead of the playoffs when Carr went down with a season-ending injury. Despite last year’s disappointments, the Raiders are once again viewed as a serious contender in the AFC looking ahead to the 2017 season.
All of that being said, don’t be surprised if more news come out about the Raiders and Bennett discussing a deal. Both sides seem interested and it wouldn’t be shocking to see the deal end up getting done.
Do you think the Oakland Raiders are the best landing spot for Martellus Bennett? What other teams do you think would be better fits? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
