The reigning Super Bowl champions New England Patriots chances of defending their title looks like it's getting slimmer by the week. What seems like a smooth ride for the New England Patriots next season, it seems that the journey to win the Super Bowl again next year would be an uphill battle. Just last week, defensive end Chris Long, a key player in the New England Patriots Super Bowl title run, has announced on social media that he won't be back next year. Now, it's tight end Martellus Bennet's turn to follow in the footsteps of Chris Long.

Martellus Bennet bid goodbye to the New England Patriots and its fans via a series of tweets on Wednesday night, according to a report from CBS Boston. Martellus Bennet played only one year for the New England Patriots.

Most people in the New England Patriots expected Martellus Bennet to walk away as a free agent. Martellus Bennet's tweets just made it official.

In his lone season with the New England Patriots, Martellus Bennet played in all nineteen games including Super Bowl LI. Martellus Bennet had a new career high in receiving touchdowns with seven during the regular season last year.

During the New England Patriots run to the Super Bowl championship, Martellus Bennet was a key and invaluable contributor in the New England Patriots' offense. The injury to All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski late in the season proved the value of Martellus Bennet.

With the departure of Martellus Bennet, the question now is how this will affect the New England Patriots chances of a back-to-back Super Bowl title. The New England Patriots are already favored this early to win the Super Bowl again next year, via a report from Sports Illustrated.

Chris Long leaving is already a huge blow. Now that Martellus Bennet is also leaving, suddenly everything changes fro the New England Patriots.

Martellus Bennet and Chris Long are not the only free agents of the New England Patriots likely to leave. The New England Patriots have a long list of their own free agents to worry about.

Winning the Super Bowl is not an easy task. Defending it is harder. The New England Patriots surely have their work cut out this off season.