NFL PLAYER NEWS

Bears reportedly open to trading WR Marshall

The Sports Xchange

March 05, 2015 at 12:57 pm.

 

Brandon Marshall could be traded. (Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports)

The Chicago Bears reportedly are exploring trade possibilities for mercurial wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

New general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox have been evaluating their roster and think moving Marshall would help “clean up the locker room,” according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

The Chicago Tribune reported it is not clear whether the Bears are actively pursuing a trade or just listening to offers for the wide receiver, who turns 31 later this month.

The likely deadline for trading or releasing Marshall is March 12, when his $7.5 million salary becomes guaranteed.

The Bears acquired Marshall from the Miami Dolphins for two third-round draft picks in 2012. Reunited with Jay Cutler, who had been his quarterback in Denver as well, Marshall caught 218 passes for 2,722 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first two seasons in Chicago.

Last season, though, he struggled with injuries and ended up with 61 catches for 721 yards and eight scores in 13 games. He also caused a lot of off-field angst, with criticisms of Cutler and other teammates.

Alshon Jeffery — who has 174 catches, 2,554 yards, 17 TDs in the last two years — has replaced Marshall as the Bears’ top receiver, and Pace and Fox appear to be looking for a roster replacement for Marshall, too. On Wednesday, they reportedly brought in receiver Brian Hartline, recently released by the Miami Dolphins.

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