CHICAGO -- Bears tight end Martellus Bennett arrived at the team facility on Monday to take a physical in advance of the club's three-day mandatory minicamp that begins on Tuesday, a league source confirmed.
Bennett is expected to participate in the minicamp after skipping the Bears' entire voluntary offseason program due to a contract dispute, per the source.
Bennett, who led all NFL tight ends with 90 receptions in 2014, is searching for a new contract. His current deal, which has two years left on it, calls for Bennett to earn a 2015 base salary of $4.9 million and $5.085 million in 2016.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported in April that Bennett did not intend to report to any team without a new deal. Bears general manager Ryan Pace said following the NFL draft that Bennett had not requested a trade.
Bennett was subject to a fine if he missed the mandatory minicamp. The tight end already forfeited a $100,000 workout bonus for failing to attend the voluntary portion of the offseason.
Bears coach John Fox said last week he wasn't sure if Bennett planned to show up for the minicamp, the club's final offseason activity before the team reports to training camp in Bourbonnais, Illinois, in late July.
"Don't know [if he'll be here]," Fox said. "Again, it's different implications on mandatory minicamp. But we'll wait and see."
During Bennett's two-month absence from the team, Fox and the rest of the coaching staff had a chance to evaluate the other tight ends on the offseason roster, most notably Dante Rosario, Bear Pascoe and Zach Miller.
The Bears even tried unsuccessfully to claim tight end Tim Wright off of waivers late last week, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates.
Bennett, however, is the Chicago's unquestioned No. 1 tight end after catching 155 passes for 1,675 yards and 11 touchdowns the past two years.
Bennett has not spoken publicly since he decided to remain away from the team. The Bears will have brief player availability following minicamp practices on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.