Tight end Martellus Bennett expected to attend Bears’ mandatory minicamp

He’s back.

After being the only player to miss all of the Bears’ voluntary workouts this offseason, tight end Martellus Bennett was at Halas Hall on Monday for physicals for the team’s mandatory minicamp. He’s expected to take part in practices when they begin on Tuesday.

Bennett has skipped all of the Bears’ voluntary work because of a contract dispute. He has two years remaining on a four-year, $20.4 million contract that he signed in 2013. He has a base salary of $4.9 million for 2015 and $5.085 million for 2016.

Bennett is coming off his best season of his seven-year career. He led all tight ends with 90 catches for 916 yards and six touchdowns in 2014. Bennett also went to his first Pro Bowl.

Bennett’s current contract isn’t in line with the best at his position, but the Bears and first-year general manager Ryan Pace have been very reluctant to get into contract negotiations with current players. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and running back Matt Forte, for example, are in the final years of their contracts, but have attended organized team activities.

Coach John Fox said last week that he was unsure if Bennett would report to mandatory minicamp. But Bennett, who already forfeited a workout bonus because of his absences, was facing a possible fine from the Bears for skipping the three-day minicamp.

Follow me on Twitter @adamjahns

Email: ajahns@suntimes.com