As the Chicago Bears turn the page on another disappointing era, new faces will help change the image of this roster. General Manager Ryan Pace and Head Coach John Fox re bringing in their own system and players, which could mean closing the door on some very notable Bears players.
One name who could face a change of scenery is Brandon Marshall. While Marshall is still talented and would have no trouble finding a new home if Chicago chooses to part ways, he is in a bad situation. The front office who awarded him with a four-year extension is now gone and more reports about Chicago not wanting Marshall back in the locker room. Marshall will see $7.5 million become guaranteed on March 12, leaving the Bears with a decision to make.
Chicago should be patient and take time with its decision, they can free up more money if they wait until after that date to send Marshall out of town. Releasing him before March 12 results in just $4 million off the cap, while releasing him after nets them $7.7 million in cap space. This team in transition has Marquess Wilson waiting in the wings ready to take over as the No.2 receiver. But if they cut a starting-caliber receiver like Marshall, he will be picked up and they won't receive any compensation in return.
NFL trades don't come within the universe of baseball or basketball. Unless it's during the draft itself, trades rarely happen and the returns are often unremarkable. March 14 will mark three years since the Bears acquired Marshall from the Bears in exchange for two third-round picks.
There will certainly be a market for Marshall, even if there are concerns over his attitude. A team like the Baltimore Ravens could be an excellent fit for Marshall, they are a team in need of another receiver as Torrey Smith likely leaves town. At 31 he may no longer be a No.1 receiver for a team, but he can be a very good No.2 and a security blanket. He could also be an option for the Jacksonville Jaguars or Oakland Raiders, teams who have young quarterbacks that need a good, veteran receiver.
It's very unlikely Chicago could land two third-round picks this time around. They may decide they are better off keeping Marshall and taking another run at the playoffs with an improved defense. Marshall isn't done by any means and a trio of Alshon Jeffery, Marshall, Wilson and Martellus Bennett can still create problems for opposing secondaries. But if Chicago decides they want to go in a different direction, they should immediately look to trade Marshall. It's better to get a 7th Round pick than nothing, with nearly $8 million in cap savings being the worst-case scenario as long as they wait until after March 12.