Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Bears are exploring trade options for veteran WR Brandon Marshall.
According to Biggs, the Bears could potentially trade him for a mid-round pick. Although, it remains unknown whether they would consider releasing him outright.
Biggs points out that the key date for Marshall and the Bears is Thursday, March 12, which is when his base salary of $7.5 million for 2015 becomes fully guaranteed.
- Ian Rapoport mentions that the idea to move Marshall is an attempt by new GM Ryan Pace and HC John Fox to “clean up the locker room.“
- Jason La Canfora mentions that it’s a buyers market right now in terms of trading for veteran players, so the question for the Bears will likely come down to whether or not they’ll be willing to release Marshall.
- Rand Getlin confirms that the Bears are looking for a mid-round pick in return for Marshall.
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.
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