NFL Notes: Bears, Dolphins, Jets, & Patriots

Bears

• Michael C. Wright expects WR Brandon Marshall to be back with the Bears next season, despite a lot of speculation that he could be on the chopping block.
• Veteran DE Jared Allen was asked about the possibility of playing in a 3-4 defense next year.

“It’s not that I can’t do it,” Allen said, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. “For me, it is a question of what kind of system are we going to run? How do I fit in the system? How do we achieve our goals? These things will play out.“

Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins interviewed former Wisconsin and current Arkansas HC Brett Bielema for their head-coaching vacancy back in 2012.

However, the two sides disagreed on Russell Wilson being a starting NFL quarterback.

“One hundred percent,” Bielema said, via ESPN.com. “They all looked at me like, ‘You can’t say that. That’s the difference between college and pro. He’s undersized. He can’t throw.’ I was like, ‘OK, all right,’ and I honestly, that day, kind of pulled myself out of it.“

Armando Salguero reports that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was “really high” on Bielema after he led the Badgers to multiple Rose Bowl appearances.

Former Dolphins QB Bob Griese reportedly told the Dolphins that Wilson was “far and away the second best quarterback prospect in the draft behind Andrew Luck.”

Miami ultimately elected to go with Ryan Tannehill at No. 8 overall.

Jets

According to former Packers GM Ron Wolf, the New York Jets nearly came away from the 1991 NFL Draft with QB Brett Favre.

Entering the draft, the Jets didn’t have their first-round pick after they used it on Rob Moore during the 1990 supplemental draft.

However, dropped out of round one, which prompted the Jets to call the Cardinals, who held the No. 33 overall selection, about a trade. This would leave ahead of the Falcons, who were known to have a great deal of interest in drafting the Southern Mississippi product.

“Dick thought he had a deal with Arizona,” Wolf said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN. “Fortunately for me and unfortunately for the Jets, when he called Arizona to finish the deal, they backed out because a player they wanted was still there [defensive end Mike Jones].“

Because Arizona backed out of the deal, the Falcons got Favre and the Jets wound up taking QB Browning Nagle.

Just a year later, the Packers traded a first-round pick to the Falcons in return for Favre.

Patriots

• Marijuana charges have been dropped against Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount now that he’s served 50 hours of community service. (Adam Schefter)