Should the Chicago Bears decide to part ways with wide receiver Brandon Marshall, the former Pro Bowl receiver is expected to draw interest on the trade market.
The offseason has been one met with great change for the Chicago Bears who have a new general manager in Ryan Pace and head coach in John Fox after the firings of Phil Emery and Marc Trestman. But there could plenty of more changed in the Windy City with Pace and Fox not committing to quarterback Jay Cutler and receiver Brandon Marshall.
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Cutler has been the subject of much of the talk in Chicago with the veteran signal-caller wearing out his welcome after years of failing to live up to expectations. However, parting ways with Cutler will prove difficult with his hefty contract and diminishing skills but moving on from Marshall could be one that actually comes to fruition.
Marshall is due $8 million this season in the first year of the extension he signed last season, but unlike Cutler still has some value to other teams. Despite a down year marred by injuries, inconsistent play and off-the-field concerns about his commitment to the team after appearing on Showtime’s Inside the NFL last year, he’s still able to help a team win.
According to CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora, Marshall would be an attractive commodity on the trade market should the Bears decide to move on from the veteran receiver.
"Marshall’s trade value has dipped through the years, but I wouldn’t discount a team or two being interested should Chicago start making calls. If teams called the Bears, it’s not like they wouldn’t pick up the phone. Marshall is due $8M this season and the Bears are going to have to extend Alshon Jeffery at some point as well. If Fox and rookie GM Ryan Pace want to start putting their fingerprints on the roster, this is one way to start the process."
Marshall’s 61 receptions and 721 yards were the lowest he’s had since his rookie year in 2006 and snapped a streak of seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and his first without 100 receptions since 2011. In his first two seasons in Chicago, Marshall had 228 receptions for 2,803 yards and 23 touchdowns and will be 31 when next season starts so he’s still got at least two-three years left of being a difference-maker for some team’s offense.
What type of compensation should Chicago expect in return for Marshall?
Probably nothing more than a fourth round pick, so would the Bears be better off with a fourth round pick to draft a speedy receiver the team sorely needs or extra help on defense instead of a proven Pro Bowl talent?
That’s for Pace and Fox to decide, but at least they have a player who has some value around the league as they look to remake the roster and get back to the playoffs.
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