The curious case of Martellus Bennett got a whole lot murkier today, as the Bears and Bennett’s agent are working together on a trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

A trade of Bennett would mark the second time that general manager Ryan Pace deals a key contributor of the Bears’ offense. He dealt wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Jets last off-season for a fifth-round pick, a trade that now looks like a massive blunder considering the injuries the Bears sustained at receiver and the fact that Marshall caught 109 passes for 1,502 yards and a career-high 14 TDs in his first season in New York.

Related Chicago Bears might look to the NFL Draft for next tight end

Bennett and the new Bears’ decision makers — Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox — got off to a rocky start last year, with reports suggesting that there were personality clashes from the outset of the relationship.

Bennett had a productive season in 2015 despite missing five games. He had 54 receptions for 439 yards and 3 TDs in eleven contests and continued his role as one of Cutler’s primary targets. Bennett was a Pro Bowl-level tight end in 2014 after posting career highs in catches (90), yards (916) and TDs (6).

The market for Bennett’s services should be strong. The 2016 class of free agents and draft prospects falls way short of Bennett’s talent level, but inquiring teams are likely to low-ball an offer because of the public knowledge of the Bears’ and Bennett’s failing relationship.

Should the Bears trade Bennett, they’ll be left dangerously thin at tight end.

Zach Miller is an unrestricted free agent and the urgency to re-sign him will be increased quite a bit. Miller provided several highlight-reel plays for the Bears in 2015, a season in which he caught five TDs (including an 87 yard scamper). Miller has been plagued by injury throughout his four years as a pro and even if he is re-signed, the Bears will have to invest a draft pick on a young player at the position; Miller is 31 years old.

The 2016 NFL Draft is top-heavy at tight end, with Arkansas’ Hunter Henry and Ohio State’s Nick Vannett as two of the better options available. Both players are expected to come off the board by the middle portion of day two, meaning the Bears will have to commit a higher-than-expected draft choice on the position in order to secure one of them.

The free agent market will present the Bears with a collection of aging veterans and under-achieving pass catchers. The best of the bunch is probably Coby Fleener; the former Stanford Cardinal has flashed moments of effectiveness during his time as an Indianapolis Colt, but the Bears are better off committing to Miller than bringing in a higher-priced free agent. According to OverTheCap.com, Fleener is expected to command a contract in the neighborhood of four years, $19 million (to $23 million).

Pace has to learn from the mistake he made with the Marshall trade last year. It’s one thing to clash with a player’s personality; it’s another to miserably undersell his value. Bennett is one of the NFL’s top tight ends and the Bears need to make sure they are compensated fairly.

Bennett has one year remaining on his contract. He’ll make just over $5 million this year; a salary that is absolutely worth paying for another year of Bennett’s potential production.