Packers Morning Buzz: The Curious Case of Martellus Bennett

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers and the NFL from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a strong cup of coffee, (or brew some tea, if that’s your thing) and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers.

We’ll start with the headline news from Wednesday afternoon, which saw the Packers release veteran tight end Martellus Bennett.

Tom Silverstein wrote on the curious situation surrounding Bennett’s release.

Early Wednesday afternoon, McCarthy said in his news conference that Bennett had met with the doctors Tuesday and “there’s a number of opinions that he’s working through.” Later in the day, he was cut.

The only thing that could have caused the Packers to do that was if Bennett decided he wanted to have season-ending surgery. Given he had not been on the injury report all season, the Packers probably saw it as a ploy to either get cut so he could play for a contender or collect pay while on injured reserve.

From the perspective of those left in the locker room to salvage something out of this season, it may appear that Bennett is bailing out on the team. Most of the players asked about Bennett's possible retirement after this season didn't know what to make of it.

The Packers undoubtedly were worried about that as well as setting precedent that a player could announce his retirement one week and then report he needs surgery the next, conveniently allowing him to collect his money while on injured reserve.

Here’s Ryan Wood’s initial post on the news:

Mike McCarthy was not pleased with Mike Daniels after Monday night:

You may have noticed Brett Hundley’s in-game gum chewing. He says it’s getting worse:

A couple linebackers were back at practice:

Elsewhere, I helped preview Sunday's game over on The Athletic:

NFL Network discussed the surprising move from the Packers:

Mike Florio reports that the Packers have not discussed going after Bennett's bonus money. Yet.

Zach Kruse writes on Brett Hundley holding Mike McCarthy’s offense down:

Mike Spofford highlights things you may have missed during Monday night’s game:

The Playbook crew previews Sunday’s matchup:

Rob Demovsky writes on Hundley’s plummeting trade value:

Michelle Bruton puts Hundley’s play in perspective:

The Power Sweep checks in with the Ballhawk Index:

First Take debates the future of the Packers:

The Internet’s got jokes: