Word started spreading on Thursday that the Chicago Bears wanted to trade five-time Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall. They completed that deal today, dumping Marshall on the receiver-needy (and talent-needy) New York Jets.
Bears have agreed to trade WR Brandon Marshall to the Jets pending a physical, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2015
Marshall had a down year in 2014, when he caught 61 balls for 721 yards, while missing three games. However, he had at least 100 receptions in his other two seasons with the Bears.
So what the hell are the Bears doing?
Who knows?
Rebuilding?
It’s not clear what Chicago got as compensation for Marshall, but we know their primary motivation was to dump his salary. Marshall was guaranteed $7.5 million this year if he was on the roster on March 12. He carried salaries of $7.9 million and $8.3 million in 2016 and 2017.
That’s really nothing for a top-tier receiver, but Marshall will be 31 this month, so maybe the Bears feel he’s not a top-tier receiver anymore.
The Bears have seen Alshon Jeffery emerge over the past two seasons, so they still have one really good receiver. However, Chicago isn’t exactly overflowing with talent and they just jettisoned one of their most talented players.
Solid, guys. Real solid.