Report: Jets To Ship 5th Round Pick To Bears For Stud Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Nobody can say the New York Jets are lacking playmakers anymore.
The team has reached an agreement on a trade with the Chicago Bears for All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Jets will give up a fifth round draft pick, according to the NFL Network's Albert Breer.
The trade is pending a physical, Schefter reported.
The trade can't be made official until the new league year starts at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The Bears freed up $3.95 million in cap space with the move, according to CBS Chicago. Marshall will make $7.7 million in 2015.
Marshall, 30, had his best year in 2012, when he caught 118 passes for 1,508 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Bears. A five-time Pro Bowler, the outspoken wideout had only 61 receptions for 721 yards and eight scores last season while dealing with injuries and the drama surrounding Jay Cutler and Chicago's quarterback situation.
The QB scenario in New York could be considered worse -- at least for now -- with the much-embattled Geno Smith perhaps beginning the season as the starter.However, the Jets hold the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft, and many fans want to see new general manager Mike Maccagnan pick up a top quarterback, either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, in that spot.
In the likelier event that Mariota is still available, some think New York could strike a deal with Philadelphia Eagles, who would in theory draft the Heisman winner and send quarterback Nick Foles and a package of top picks in return.
Todd Bowles, the Jets' rookie head coach, will now reportedly add a legitimate No. 1 target in the 6-foot-4 Marshall to a receiving corps that includes Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley and, it appears temporarily, Percy Harvin.
Acquired last year from Seattle, Harvin will reportedly be cut with four years and nearly $42 million left on his deal. However, since none of his money is guaranteed the Jets would not be subject to a cap hit.
If the Jets cut Harvin by March 19, they would owe Seattle a sixth-round draft pick. If Harvin remains past that date, the Jets would give up a fourth-rounder.
Marshall was placed on season-ending injured reserve Dec. 8 after suffering fractured ribs and puncturing his lung against the Dallas Cowboys. He had also been playing through nagging ankle and leg injuries.
He has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in seven of nine seasons, all coming in a consecutive stretch from 2007-13 with Denver, Miami and Chicago.
