FOXBORO -- It hasn't always worked for Martellus Bennett at his previous stops so why is he such a good fit in New England? That's what Patriots president Jonathan Kraft was asked on Sunday before his team's game with the Bengals.
"I think he's a very hard-working, serious football player, which is why we were excited when he could come here," Kraft told 98.5 The Sports Hub. "I think guys that love playing football and love working hard, when they get into the environment [in New England] . . . when you walk into that, I've heard from other players that have come through here, it's different."
Kraft added: "[Bill Belichick] brings players into our system who can help advance that culture and cement it . . . He looks for guys who love football. Not guys who are great athletes who play because it's better than the alternative."
The Patriots have the game's best tight end in Rob Gronkowski under contract through 2019 so would it make sense for the team to extend Bennett, who is currently in the final year of his deal?
"You're asking me a [Colts GM] Ryan Grisgon question there," Kraft said. "I think he made a comment last week about how they're looking at managing money . . . You've got a limited amount of cash and you strategically look at it as what's best for you . . . It's hard to talk about things, abstract ideas around allocating money to a specific position. That's a hard question to answer. We're really excited Martellus is here . . . He's a thoughtful, creative guy, and I think he wants to play football . . . He's been great. His teammates love him. He's been great to have in the building."