Tom Brady and the New England Patriots were happy to see Martellus Bennett back on the field Sunday night. Others, not so much.
Shortly after Bennett tallied three catches for 38 yards in the Patriots’ blowout win over the Denver Broncos, former Green Bay Packers tight end Tom Crabtree took an overt shot at the veteran tight end and the team that signed him on Twitter.
Crabtree was referencing Bennett’s bizarre journey from Green Bay to New England, which included a dispute over his shoulder injury and his lengthy rant against the Packers’ medical staff on Instagram.
Bennett certainly has opened himself up to criticism. He seemed resigned to season-ending shoulder surgery in Green Bay only to have the Packers cut him. The Patriots then claimed him off waivers, which apparently was enough for Bennett to change his mind and play through the injury that supposedly needed surgery. Some people accused Bennett of quitting on the Packers (especially after the injury to Aaron Rodgers).
His new teammates, however, appear to have his back. Shortly after Crabtree’s post, Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy responded in defense of his tight end.
The New England locker room seemed pretty pumped to have Bennett back in the fold this week, so it’s not surprising the Patriots are rallying around him.
