ESPN.com · Mar 8, 2018
Patriots release tight end Martellus Bennett
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots released veteran tight end Martellus Bennett on Wednesday, a league source tells ESPN's Field Yates.
The move was expected, and it creates about $6 million in salary-cap space.
Bennett, who turns 31 on March 10, was due a $2 million roster bonus on March 14. Had the Patriots elected to pick up the roster bonus, it would have been an indication that Bennett -- who was due a $3.6 million base salary in 2018 with the chance to earn an additional $2.6 million in incentives and bonuses -- was part of their future plans.
That seemed unlikely, especially as the Patriots need cap space as part of their free-agent plans.
