Chicago Bears Trade WR Brandon Marshall to the Jets

By Cheri Cheng - 06 Mar '15 16:38PM

With the new league year approaching, more NFL teams are making some pretty surprising moves. The Chicago Bears announced that they will trade wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets.

The trade will not be official until the new league year starts next Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. The trade will also be dependent on a physical. NFL Networks Albert Breer is reporting that the Jets will give up a fifth round draft pick.

"I just want to make sure that we understand the Chicago Bears and football are our No. 1 priority going forward," general manager Ryan Pace had said at the NFL Combine in regards to Marshall.

Marshall, a nine-year veteran, has proven time after time that he is a force to be reckoned with on the field. In seven straight seasons from 2007 to 2013, Marshall recorded at least 1,000 yards receiving. However, over this past season, he dealt with many leg injuries and totaled only 721 yards receiving on 61 receptions. The five-time Pro Bowler finished the season on the injured reserve list after sustaining fractured ribs and a punctured lung.

Marshall's best year was in 2012 when he caught 118 passes for 1,508 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Despite Marshall's success on the field, some of the choices that he has made in his personal life have been problematic. Just last season, he challenged a Detroit Lions fan via Twitter to a boxing match. He was also involved with a postgame rant in the locker room after the Bears lost to the Miami Dolphins.

According to ESPN.com, a mental health spokesman reported that Marshall, 30, has put his problems behind him.

If the trade is finalized, Marshall will reunite with Jets first-time coach Todd Bowles. Bowles was an assistant and interim head coach with the Dolphins when Marshall was on the team.

Marshalls will be a valuable weapon, alongside Erik Decker and Percy Harvin, for quarterback Geno Smith. There is also a chance that the Jets, who have the number six pick in the upcoming 2015 NFL draft, can get one of the two top quarterback prospects, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.

By trading away Marshall, the Bears will free up $3.95 million in cap space and save $7.7 million in cash according to CBS Chicago. Marshall will make $7.7 million in 2015. Marshall's contract includes $8.1 million in 2016 and $8.5 million in 2017. However, these salaries are not guaranteed.