John Fox Expects Martellus Bennett To Remain On Bears' Roster

(CBS) A day after news broke that the Bears were listening to offers for Martellus Bennett as he desires a new contract and has been skipping voluntary workouts, coach John Fox said he expects the Pro Bowl tight end will remain on the team's roster.

"I have talked to him," Fox said. "I know where he is. Like I said yesterday with anybody who's not here, I'd prefer they be here. But he's part of our football team, and we'll leave it at that."

Fox responded "yeah" when he was asked if he expects Bennett to be a Chicago Bear on Monday.

Bennett, 28, wants a new contract either from the Bears or another team, and he doesn't plan to report anywhere without a new one, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday. Bennett has two years left on a four-year, $20.4-million deal he signed before the 2013 season, and all of his guaranteed money has been paid out, the Chicago Tribune reported. Bennett's base salary is $4.9 million for 2015, with a $100,000 workout bonus, according to spotrac.com.

Asked how he knows what he has in Bennett if he's not practicing with the team, Fox responded, "Good question."

Bennett's been a high-level performance for the Bears in his two years in Chicago. Last season, he had 90 catches for 916 yards and six touchdowns while making his first Pro Bowl. In 2013, he had 65 receptions for 759 yards and five touchdowns.

Bennett is set to make $5.085 million in base salary in 2016, with a $100,000 workout bonus, according to spotrac.com.