Brandon Marshall: Trade from Dolphins to Bears was ‘career-saving’

In 2012 just months after the 2011 season came to an end, the Chicago Bears made a big and bold move to trade for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall. It reunited him with quarterback Jay Cutler, his former Denver Broncos teammate.

More from Chicago Bears

• Ryan Poles’ first contract extension as Bears GM is a big one
• NFL rumors: 3 edge rushers Bears could still add to fill glaring need
• Justin Fields, self-proclaimed Top 5 rushing QB ever, eyes elusive Bears record
• NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
• NFL coach bashes the Bears for letting star leave

Since then Marshall has a 1,500 yard season under his belt along with two Pro Bowl appearances and an All-Pro nod, the only one of his career.

Marhsall wasn’t necessarily unproductive in Miami, he caught 167 passes in two seasons for 2,228 yards and 9 touchdowns, but at a press conference announcing his three-year, $30 million extension Marshall called his move from the Dolphins to the Bears career-saving.

“The transformation started in my life before I was traded (to Chicago),” Marshall said, via NFL.com. “I think it was career-saving. I don’t think I’d be sitting in this position, talking about an extension. I probably wouldn’t be having the success that I’ve had on the field (if I was still in Miami). It wasn’t right for me.”

“It was life-saving and career-saving,” Marshall reiterated to drive the point home.

Marshall has put up considerably better numbers in his two years in Chicago then his two in Miami. With the Bears he has caught 218 passes for 2,803 yards and 23 touchdowns. That touchdown total is nearly as much as his four years in Denver combined.

Finding the end zone more frequently surely would make any receiver happy. What is really interesting about this is the fact that Marhsall arguably wasn’t even the Bears best receiver. The young Alshon Jeffery caught 89 passes, less than Marshall’s 100, and put up 1,421 yards, 126 more than Marshall.

Marshall admitted that there was some selfishness to him, but the new offense under Marc Trestman that spread the ball around helped him, and the team, to mature.

“I’m (usually) the guy that gets 170 balls a year,” he said. “Now, coach (Marc) Trestman comes in moving us all around and spreading the ball around, it’s like, man, this is going to be different. But I think we all grew as men last year because of it…Last year was the first year I wasn’t selfish.”