BOURBONNAIS — Martellus Bennett and Jay Cutler’s reunion in two weeks should be interesting.
The former Bears tight end and his brother, Seahawks defensive lineman Michael, were quoted as criticizing the quarterback in an ESPN feature story published Wednesday. In it, Michael called Cutler “the worst quarterback in the NFL,” while Martellus, who was traded to the Patriots in March, had a more specific charge.
“I’d be open and he’d throw into double coverage,” he said.
Cutler was asked Wednesday is the Bears’ culture was better without Bennett, and took the high road.
“I don’t know, I’m really not gonna get into that. ,” he said. “Most receivers and tight ends are always open. So hopefully (Patriots quarterback) Tom (Brady), I guess, can do a better job of finding him than I did.”
The Bears dealt Bennett because of locker-room concerns. Brandon Marshall left a year earlier for similar reasons, and was traded to the Jets. He told ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday that Cutler “can be an MVP this year.”
“You can’t please everybody,” Cutler said with a smile..” We’re at both ends of the spectrum here. We wish both those guys good luck. I had fun playing with them here, and that’s just kinda how it goes. Guys play for different teams, and we wish them both the best of luck.”
The Bears will practice twice in Foxboro, Mass., leading up to their second exhibition game Aug. 18.