It didn’t take the New York Giants long to fill a small void in their offense.
The Super Bowl champs signed former Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett to a one-year deal on Wednesday.
The deal is worth $2.5 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Big Blue usually prefers to take a look at the roster before making a move in free agency, but they weren’t left with many options after starting tight end Jake Ballard, and back up Travis Beckum both suffered torn ACLs during the Giants Super Bowl victory in early February.
Both are expected to start the season on the physically unable to perform list.
So to make up for the injuries, the Giants looked within the division and they decided on 25-year-old Bennett, who just finished up his fourth season with the Cowboys.
Bennett played behind stud tight end Jason Witten during his time in Dallas, scoring four touchdowns, all in his rookie year.
“We had a very good, open, forthright visit with Martellus today, and we are excited to have him join the Giants family,” general manager Jerry Reese said, according to the Giants team website. “He’s ready to go to work and wants to prove he can be one of the top tight ends in the NFL; we think the sky is the limit for him here.”
Last season, the 6-6 265 pound tight end caught 20 passes for 283 yards. For his career, he has 85 receptions and 846 yards receiving.
He played in 60 regular season games, including 31 starts.
“I’m just happy to be able to come here and get a chance to be the starter and work with a guy like Eli (Manning) and with guys around me like Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks,” Bennett said. “In Dallas it was the same thing with Dez (Bryant), but I think it’s different for me now because I get the chance to step up and really show what I can do.”
