Bears Would Settle For A Fifth-Round Pick In Return For Brandon Marshall, Likely To Cut Him If No Trade

Update:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms reports that the Bears are prepared to trade WR Brandon Marshall and adds that Chicago has been in contact with the Colts and Browns about Marshall.

Both teams could really use another receiver and the asking price for Marshall is reportedly a mid-round pick. Although, Brad Biggs did say that they would “settle for as low as a fifth-rounder” in return for Marshall.

We’ll have more as the news is available.

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Yesterday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported that the Bears are exploring trade options for WR Brandon Marshall. and are looking for a mid-round pick in return for the veteran receiver.

After speaking to more sources last night, Biggs is now reporting that Chicago could release Marshall before his $7.5 million base salary for 2015 becomes guaranteed next Thursday.

According to Biggs, the Bears would “settle for as low as a fifth-rounder” in return for Marshall, even though they’re reportedly hoping to do better than that.

Marshall’s contract is the reason why compensation is likely to be so low. Biggs mentions that “multiple” teams are expected to have interest if Marshall ends up becoming a free agent.

• Ian Rapoport has said previously that the idea to move Marshall is an attempt by new GM Ryan Pace and HC John Fox to “clean up the locker room.“

The idea of making Marshall available for trade has come up multiple times in the past few months and some have mentioned that the Colts could be a team to keep an eye on for Marshall.

Marshall, 30, still has another three years remaining on his four-year, $39.3 million contract that included $22.3 million guaranteed. He’ll make base salaries of $7.5 million (2015), $7.9 million (2016), and $8.3 million (2017) over the remainder of the contract.

Marshall will count $9.575 million against the team’s salary cap in 2015. According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Marshall would free up $3.95 million in cap space while creating $5.62 million in dead money.

It’s worth mentioning that trading Marshall would create the same amount of cap space for Chicago.

In 2014, Marshall caught 61 passes for 721 yards receiving and eight touchdowns for the Bears over the course of 13 games. His season was cut short after he sustained fractured ribs and a collapsed lung and was later placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Pro Football Focus has Marshall rated as the No. 26 receiver out of 110 qualifying players.