June 15--There was a Black Unicorn sighting at Halas Hall on Monday.
Pro Bowl tight end Martellus Bennett reported to Chicago Bears headquarters for the start of the club's mandatory minicamp after skipping the previous eight weeks of the offseason program.
Although the sessions he missed were voluntary, his absence disappointed the Bears' new regime, particularly because of the learning and team-building elements to coach John Fox's first offseason in charge. Bennett is the only Bears player to miss the entire offseason program to this point.
After making his first Pro Bowl last season, Bennett made clear his desire for a new contract. He just completed the second season of the four-year, $20.4 million deal he signed in March 2013. In the two years remaining on his deal, Bennett is scheduled to make $10.085 million, but that does not include any guaranteed money.
The Bears entertained trading him around the time of the NFL draft, but nothing came to fruition.
By skipping the voluntary portion of the offseason program, Bennett forewent a $100,000 workout bonus. He risked a team fine by skipping the mandatory minicamp.
The Bears' minicamp includes physicals on Monday, and the team will practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
