Bennett Brings Personality Infusion to Packers Locker Room

Almost immediately after signing with the Green Bay Packers, Martellus Bennett got to work endearing himself to his new team’s fan base. Just one day after inking a three-year, $21 millon deal, Bennett took to Twitter to let his followers decide what number he’d wear for the Packers. For those who hadn’t followed him on social media before his arrival in Green Bay, the Twitter poll was just a taste of what to expect from the 30-year old veteran.

Throughout his career, Bennett has built a reputation for being outspoken and challenging the status quo. While that strong personality has sometimes landed him in trouble – see his 2014 training camp fight with ex-Bears teammate Kyle Fuller in 2014 – it has also earned him respect around the league from everyone from players to coaches to executives.

At the annual NFL meetings in Phoenix this week, that respect was evident, as Bennett drew praise from Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manger Ted Thompson, as well as Adam Gase, who was the offensive coordinator during Bennett’s tenure with the Bears. Having coached the nine-year veteran, Gase was also able to shed some light on how to deal with Bennett’s outspoken demeanor.

“He’s going to say what he wants to say, and if you get offended, he’s really not going to care. So you’ve just got to have thick skin,” Gase commented. He continued, “The challenges Marty always brought for me was he’s very intelligent, and he asks a lot of good questions, so he’s not going to let you get away with just ‘Hey, run it this way,’ he’s going to ask you why.”

McCarthy served up similar praise.

“He impressed a lot of people,” the 12th-year head coach said. “I enjoyed my time with him with the creativity and the personality, but more importantly what he brings to the program. I think he’ll be a good fit for us.”

The general manager also likes what he sees from a fit and talent standpoint.

On Monday, Thompson told Packers.com, “It’s his God-given talent. He can run, he can catch, he has great hand-eye coordination.”

Bennett’s personality should come as a breath of fresh air to a franchise that is known for playing things close to the vest, and typically asks their players to do the same. Outside of “R-E-L-A-X” and “run the table,” splashy quotes have been rare during Thompson and McCarthy’s time together as GM and head coach. It’s extremely likely that will change with Bennett in the locker room.

Chances are he’ll have some comments for the coaching staff, too. According to Gase, those things can turn out to be helpful.

“He always had suggestions or comments about certain concepts we would do. And as a coach, you just look at it as a way to get better and make your offense better.”

Even Thompson seems eager to hear what Bennett has to say.

“He’s a bit of Renaissance man, and I think that’ll be a good thing, a fun thing. Maybe he’ll educate myself and some of the players.”

Slow down, Ted, don’t give the fans any ideas.

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Comments (2)

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marpag1's picture

March 29, 2017 at 02:08 pm

Meh. Barry Sanders never seemed to have a lot of "personality."

Pile up the yards, first downs and TDs... and then you can be the biggest deadbeat on the planet for all I care.

Now, that Freddie Mitchell fella - HE had himself some "personality..."

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croatpackfan's picture

March 30, 2017 at 06:15 am

I was sorry when I saw he went to Cheatriots last season.. But I knew it would be almost impossible to get him from Chicago...
I like open personalities. They are soul purifier for everybody around them...

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