Report: Martellus Bennett Leaves Giants, Signs with Chicago Bears

With the start of free agency, the Giants have already lost a key starter.

The Martellus Bennett experiment is over before it really got going.

After one season, the Giants starting tight end has signed with the Chicago Bears, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

"

TE Martellus Bennett signs with the Bears. One year for Black Unicorn with Giants. #nyg

— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) March 12, 2013"

Terms of the deal between Bennett and the Bears aren't known yet.

After playing four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Bennett signed a one-year deal with the Giants in 2012 hoping for a chance to start as a tight end.

With the Giants, Bennett had 55 catches for 626 yards and five touchdown catches as the starting tight end for the team and really broke out as a player who could be relied on.

At first, Bennett wanted to remain a Giant, but as the offseason wore on, he felt his chances of staying with the team were not good and felt he would have to look for a new home come 2013.

And with that, he's found a new home in Chicago to be their new starting tight end.

The Giants still have Bear Pascoe and 2012 draft pick Adrien Robinson on the team, but they will need to look for another tight end if Robinson isn't ready to be the starter.

It'll be interesting to see how Bennett does playing with Jay Cutler in the Bears offense and if he can be as effective as he was when he played alongside Eli Manning.

So now, the Giants and Jerry Reese will either look to sign a tight end in free agency or potentially look to draft someone in April's NFL Draft.

I wouldn't panic on Bennett leaving, as Giants tight ends coach Mike Pope knows how to develop tight ends and get the most out of them in the Giants offensive system.

Stay tuned, Giants fans.

(UPDATE, 4:23 p.m. by Doug Rush)

On his Twitter account, Martellus Bennett confirmed that he will be joining the Bears in 2013.

"

I'm proud to say I'll be joining my other brother @bmarshall next season. #BEARDOWN

"

"— Martellus Bennett (@JoeGryffindor) March 12, 2013"

(UPDATE, 4:49 p.m. by Doug Rush)

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Bennett's deal with Chicago is a four-year pact.

"

Former Giants tight end Martellus Bennett reached agreement with Bears on a four-year deal.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2013"