The Cowboys have never quite been able to work out their two tight end package. Since Jason Witten was drafted and originally paired with Dan Campbell under Bill Parcells, the team has tried and tried to work dual tight ends into its offense to no avail. The Cowboys drafted tight ends with three separate second-round picks, and all fell by the wayside, including the first three years of the career of Gavin Escobar. The most enigmatic of all of these picks? Martellus Bennett.

After the Cowboys moved on from Anthony Fasano, Dallas selected Bennett in the 2008 draft. He would start just 31 games in his four seasons with the Cowboys, hauling in 85 receptions. Most observers thought being an understudy to Witten would be a magical elixir for someone with Bennett’s physical gifts. His take on the relationship?

“I hated Jason Witten. I appreciated his game, but I always hated him.” – ESPN

There probably isn’t a recent Cowboys player who has more of a clean-cut, All-American image than Witten. His public perception is crafted as a no-nonsense, lunch-pail type of hard worker and that’s supported by his amazing ability to stay healthy and maintain his perch among the game’s greatest tight ends, year in, year out. He’s a likely Hall-of-Fame player whenever he decides to hang up his cleats.

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Witten is also one of quarterback Tony Romo’s best friends and that relationship has caused it’s fair share of mumbled under-their-breath comments from other receivers who would like to see their share of Romo’s targets increased over the years.

For Bennett, Witten’s high-frequency use meant he was relegated to being a lesser option, asked to block instead of something he felt he was born to do, run routes. Bennett allowed that frustration to affect his effort, and that was a constant problem for the Dallas coaching staff, who never seemed to relent and allowed Bennett to waste away in Dallas.

If Bennett was the only player who didn’t perform well as Witten’s understudy, it could be attributed to the individual player. However three second-round busts, while the two who’ve left the organization were able to find success elsewhere seems to indict the system as well.

Now, Bennett is going to line up opposite Rob Gronkowski as the Patriots attempt to duplicate their offense from a few years ago that featured Gronk and Aaron Hernandez.

Bennett has thrived since leaving Dallas as the primary tight end for the Giants and the Bears, though neither organization seemed sad to see him leave. Now though, the Cowboys will likely have to watch Bennett in a two-tight end offense Dallas thought they could have had, and are still chasing year after year.