The Chicago Bears are exploring a Brandon Marshall trade this offseason and it comes as the futures of Matt Forte and Jay Cutler are also unclear and if the team trades the wide receiver, teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, NY Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots could be interested in making a move.
Marshall is coming off of his worst season in years and with his contract number fairly high for 2015, the Bears may look at making a trade. The team has Alshon Jeffery and Marquess Wilson alongside Marshall and they feel those players can step up if his traded. According to ESPN.com, Ryan Pace and John Fox met with Marshall earlier this offseason and the receiver said he was "assured nothing" about his status in 2015.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are actively looking for a trade for Marshall and it could take only a "mid round pick" for the team to make the deal. The Bears are considering moves with Cutler and Forte as well, but moving Marshall could make those trades less likely if it goes down, as they would clear some solid cap space with the move. Marshall's salary is $7.5 million as his base and that becomes guaranteed on March 12. The team is looking for a trade before that date and if they can't get a deal done, there is a chance he could get cut.
According to ESPN.com, the team could release Marshall and save $3.95 million in cap room, or they could designate him a post-June 1 cut and that would save over $7 million. Marshall dealt with injuries in 2014 and had a down season, putting up his lowest numbers since he was a rookie. Marshall has been very productive in his time with the Bears, but with a new staff coming in and a tight cap situation, he could be expendable since the team has Jeffery alongside him.
Last season Marshall had just 61 catches in 13 games and he had 721 yards receiving, his lowest totals since back when he was a rookie. Marshall previously had not missed any games in two years with the Bears and had back to back 100 catch, 1200 yard seasons in 2012-13 and now he could be traded.
If Marshall is traded, some options include the Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles and NY Jets. The Eagles got rid of DeSean Jackson last season and may lose Jeremy Maclin to free agency, while the Cowboys have Dez Bryant on the franchise tag and could look at adding some depth for security. The Raiders need playmakers on offense, while the Browns are another option, as they have Josh Gordon suspended for this season.
The Texans could be in the mix for Marshall, as they are reportedly getting rid of Andre Johnson and could use a veteran to come in behind DeAndre Hopkins. Marshall is four years younger than Johnson and a bit cheaper and they could look at him as a solid pickup once they move Johnson. The team may release Johnson after he was given permission to seek a trade and teams like the Eagles, Cowboys and Browns could be interested in making a deal.