LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The New England Patriots have acquired Martellus Bennett from the Chicago Bears, giving them another talented tight end to pair with All-Pro Rob Gronkowski.
New England also gets Chicago's sixth-round pick in this year's draft in exchange for the Patriots' fourth-rounder in the deal announced on Thursday.
The 29-year-old Bennett has spent eight seasons in the NFL, the past three in Chicago. He made the Pro Bowl in 2014 and has 3,586 yards with 23 touchdowns in his career.
He goes from a rebuilding team to a perennial championship contender led by coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.
Vikings: Agree to terms with OT Andre Smith
MINNEAPOLIS — Free agent offensive tackle Andre Smith has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
Smith and the Vikings came to agreement on Thursday, a few days after he visited the Twin Cities. He also visited the Arizona Cardinals.
Smith was the sixth overall draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009. He was the starter at right tackle for the last five seasons and is expected to compete with Phil Loadholt for that job in Minnesota. Loadholt is returning from a torn Achilles.
NFL
The move is the latest in the Vikings' pursuit of bolstering an offensive line that struggled last season. They also signed free agent guard Alex Boone from the San Francisco 49ers.