Fresh off a career year with the New York Giants, former Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett is set to cash in.
It was reported this week that Bennett would sign a four-year deal with the Chicago Bears worth $20 million. This kind of money would have been near unthinkable when Bennett left Dallas after four years that, he himself admits, were disappointing.
"I think early in my career, it’s no secret that I struggled earlier in my career," Bennett said, per ESPN Dallas. "But it wasn’t because of my ability or being able to make plays. It was more attitude. I think I never accepted my role in Dallas and I always was fighting with what my role was instead of just accepting it. I did kind of accept it because I became one of the better blocking tight ends in the NFL, which was my role there. It’s helped me out throughout my whole career. I was a blocking guy down there. Really it just added some perspective for me."
Obviously, a large factor in Bennett’s emergence in 2012 was the fact that he wasn’t saddled behind a probable future Hall of Famer, in Jason Witten, on the depth chart--as he had been through those first four years.
"I didn’t want to be the second guy (in Dallas)," Bennett said. "I never want to be second. I finally got a chance to be the No. 1 guy, and I was able to make huge strides in being able to play and make plays. I think this is the next step for us up and I’m excited about it."
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