Bears Sign Bennett 3/12/13

LAKE FOREST, IL - The Chicago Bears agreed to terms with TE Martellus Bennett on a four-year contract Tuesday.

The 6-6, 265-pound Bennett has started 47 of 76 games played in five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2008-11) and New York Giants (2012), hauling in 140 receptions for 1,472 yards (10.5 ypr) and nine touchdowns. He has appeared in two playoff contests with one start, gathering three receptions for 27 yards. Bennett has appeared in at least 14 contests in all five seasons in the NFL and all 16 contests in three seasons (2008, 2010 and 2012).

Last season in New York, the 26-year old Bennett started all 16 contests and set career highs with 55 receptions, 626 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. His five receptions of 25-plus yards were tied for sixth in the NFL among tight ends in 2012. The top four games of Bennett's career, in terms of receiving yards, all came last season including a career-high 82 yards receiving (one touchdown on five receptions) at Washington on December 3.

Bennett began his career in Dallas after the Cowboys selected him in the second round (61^st overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M.