Report: Bears Are Exploring Brandon Marshall Trade Options
(CBS) Mercurial Bears receiver Brandon Marshall may not be long for Chicago.
The Bears are exploring trade options for Marshall, the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs reported Thursday morning.
From Biggs:
One NFL source said the Bears are shopping Marshall with the idea of moving him. Another source said his belief is the team is taking calls in regard to Marshall. Either way, trades cannot be finalized until 3 p.m. Tuesday.
The new league year begins Tuesday, which is when free agency opens as well. Next Thursday, Marshall's $7.5 million base salary for 2015 becomes fully guaranteed.
It's not clear what the Bears are seeking in return for Marshall, Biggs reported. Chicago acquired Marshall from Miami in exchange for two third-round picks in March 2012. He'll turn 31 later this month.
By parting ways with Marshall, the Bears would free up $3.95 million on the salary cap, Biggs reported.
Marshall's had a stellar three-year run in Chicago, but his production waned in 2014 as the Bears struggled and he dealt with injuries. He finished with 61 catches for 721 yards and eight touchdowns. Marshall suffered a sprained ankle early in the season that nagged him all year, and he missed the final three games with a collapsed lung.
Marshall has also been at the center of much off-field drama while in Chicago. Last season, he had a postgame tirade in the locker room after a loss the the Dolphins. He also challenged a Lions fan on Twitter to a boxing match and held a bizarre press conference to address past allegations of domestic violence.
