FOXBORO — Martellus Bennett woke up early and eager on the first day of training camp.

New beginnings meant new opportunities. For the ninth-year tight end, a new chapter in his life started when the Chicago Bears traded him to New England during the offseason. A new team also meant creating new friendships.

To get to know his teammates, Bennett devised a plan. Every day, he would get a ride to and from practice with a different teammate. He was so excited to start that on that first day that he arrived outside the team hotel while his teammates were still asleep.

“I’d literally be with my thumb out on the side of the street,” Bennett said. “I realized I got up way too early for training camp than everyone else. One day, the first day, I’m like, ‘Damn, I’ve been out here for 20 minutes and no one is out yet.’ Then all the cars start coming out at the same time. It was like 6:15-ish.”

Bennett is as charismatic as he is eccentric. He has no problem rocking a pair of skinny jeans with a pair of round, vintage-'70s sunglasses. At the same time, he’ll dive into a deep conversation about the novel he’s reading or the children’s book he authored, “Hey A.J. It’s Saturday!"

And you don't need a book to realize this veteran is a good storyteller. Just ask his teammates, who learned plenty about Bennett during those 15-minute drives to and from Gillette Stadium this summer.

Rob Gronkowski

Conversations during these car rides were almost exclusively about anything other than football. Bennett’s focus was to build new relationships and also get his teammates to think about life outside of sports.

During their rides, Bennett discussed with Rob Gronkowski the importance of reading books.

“Just about creativity. How he reads books,” Gronkowski said. “I was just thinking, everyone that reads books says they love reading books. It got me thinking that I want to go down that path. It feels like it keeps your mind rolling with ideas. That’s great to have.

“It’s neat. He’s always thinking. His mind is always thinking. He’s a very intellectual guy, that’s very creative and smart. If you need any ideas, you just ask him and boom, he’ll come up with it. You’ll be like, ‘Damn, that’s right.' "

Bennett has recommended books to several teammates, which he tailors to their personalities. After the ride with Gronkowski, Bennett ordered him “The Inner Game of Tennis” by W. Timothy Gallwey, which details mental and physical exercises to help a player’s performance.

“When you talk to people, you can hear what they’re really passionate about,” said Bennett, who is still waiting to give Gronk the book. “For him, it’s working out, food, sports, the mental mindset of the game. I was like, ‘Oh, 'The Inner Game of Tennis' will be a good book for you.’ ”

D.J. Foster

Word spread quickly that Bennett was trying to ride with as many teammates as he could. D.J. Foster knew what was coming even before Bennett flagged him down one morning outside the team hotel.

“He got in and it was like his head was out the roof,” Foster said of Bennett riding in his compact Chevy Cruze. “We had to move his seat back all the way. It was funny seeing him in that car. It was a good trip.

“He’s always talking about life. He’s obviously a very interesting person. He has some good insight. ... It can be about any topic. He knows so many things outside football that he can talk about. He’s given me a lot of advice when it comes to being a professional, being in the NFL and just life stuff.”

Bennett refers to himself as “Uncle Smarty,” a nickname his nieces gave him, and he aims to pass along words of wisdom to rookies. He acknowledges that there have been some bumps in his career and tries to steer young players in the right direction.

“I think it’s big. There are guys when I was first in the league, like TO [Terrell Owens], I still call from time to time,” Bennett said. “I don’t want anyone to be tripping over the same stones that I tripped over or things I’ve been through. Plus, I’ve got a lot of good stories.”

Amendola and Edelman

Conversations are never boring with a man who nicknamed himself the “Black Unicorn,” who quotes Dr. Seuss and who has given a "TED Talk (informational talks on a variety of topics)."

“He’s a very quirky guy. He’s very creative,” Julian Edelman said. “He always has an idea. ... Marty, he’s just always thinking about something. It’s pretty amazing.”

Danny Amendola gave Bennett several rides in his Audi during the summer and came away with a deeper appreciation of him.

“The conversation’s never dull," Amendola said. "He’s very personable. He’s the man. He’s fun.

“He has great imagination. He brings a new level of thinking to not only football. Being around him and sharing his energy is pretty unique. It was a short but fun car ride.”

James Develin

James Develin’s locker is right next to Bennett, so he hears more words of wisdom than most Patriots.

“I think it’s an enlightening experience," Develin said. "He’s got an incredible outlook on life. Whether it’s football or family or anything outside of football for that matter. He’s got a unique outlook on things. It’s been cool to not only drive him in the car but have my locker next to him and kind of listen to him. I’ve learned a lot about a lot of things.”

Bennett tried to learn about his teammates' families this summer. He knows all about Develin’s son, Jimmy, who is 8 months old.

“It’s about the people,” Bennett said. “If they get to meet my kids, they play harder for them, you know what I’m saying? I need to make sure [Develin’s] son eats. Little Jimmy's got to eat. When little Jimmy wants to eat, I've got to make sure I go out there and make my blocks. We’re all responsible for each other to a certain extent.”

Richards and Slater

Jordan Richards was in the cafe at Gillette Stadium when Bennett approached him about getting a ride back to the hotel. During the drive in the safety’s Toyota 4Runner, Bennett talked about growing up in Texas and about his time playing in Chicago.

“It’s just being real with people,” Richards said. “A lot of the time, when we’re in the facility, we’re focusing on football. But getting to hear about him or talk about things that aren’t football, off the field, is always good to get to know your teammate.”

Matthew Slater ran into Bennett as they were leaving the facility.

“He’s a very interesting guy, but he’s a very smart guy,” Slater said. “He has a lot of interests outside of football. He’s passionate about a lot of different things. He’s well-informed. I learned a lot in that car ride — everything, faith, family, life — you name it.”

Mitchell and Karras

The topic of mistakes he's made is not the only one that Bennett discusses with rookies. He also gives them tips on surviving the daily NFL grind.

“You’ve got to always keep a smile on your face. That’s something Marty has taught me,” Malcolm Mitchell said about their ride together. “Just to appreciate the moment, work hard and always have a smile on your face.”

By the time training camp ended, Bennett had finally gotten his vehicle to Massachusetts, but the carpooling hasn’t stopped. When the team stays in a hotel before home games, Bennett usually can be seen riding shotgun on the way to Gillette Stadium.

Against Miami, it was with Jacoby Brissett. Against Buffalo, it was with Ted Karras.

“I thought it was pretty sweet he wanted a ride from me,” Karras said. “Mostly we talked about the Chicago suburbs, because I’m pretty familiar with that area. You can learn a lot from a guy who’s been in the league a long time.”

“There’s so much knowledge and wisdom I learned,” Bennett added. “I just feel like I should pass it on.”

Bennett hasn’t been in New England long, but these short drives brought him closer to his new Patriots teammates.

“I could’ve easily rented a car and drove to work every day, but it’s like there’s so many people I can get to know as fast as I can during camp,” Bennett said. “The car rides are 15 minutes or so, so 15 minutes with a different guy here and there. Before you know it, you pretty much ride with half of the team.”