Pending passing a physical exam and official only until Tuesday, March 11 when free agency in the National Football League, or NFL, opens, wide receiver Brandon Marshall will be traded by the Chicago Bears to the New York Jets for a fifth round pick. The trade was first reported by Adam Scheffer, the NFL Insider of ESPN, on Friday.

The 30 year old Marshall is a nine year veteran who has played for three NFL teams. He was a fourth round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2006 NFL Draft and played in Denver from 2006 to 2009. He also suited up for the Miami Dolphins in the 2010 and 2011 seasons before landing with the Bears from 2012 to 2014. Entering his tenth NFL season, Marshall registered 1,000-plus receiving yards in seven of nine seasons in the league. Marshall’s career-high came in his first year in Chicago in 2012 when he had 1,508 receiving yards on 118 catches with 11 touchdowns.

The Jets will most likely start the 30 year old Marshall along with Eric Decker, who was signed to a big contract in the 2014 offseason. The New York team is hoping the pair can be effective with young quarterback Geno Smith, who will enter just his third year in the league.

For Chicago, the move is part of the major revamp of the team after another disappointing season. The Bears replaced Marc Trestman with John Fox as head coach and Phil Emery with Ryan Pace as general manager in the 2015 offseason. By dealing Marshall away in this offseason, the Bears will save about $7.7 million in cash and will make about $4 million in cap space, according to an ESPN report.

The Jets had 4 wins against 12 losses in the 2014 NFL Season and missed the postseason for the third straight year. The last time the New York franchise was in the playoffs was in the 2010-2011 season when they made it as a wild card and had upset wins over the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the conference championship. 
The Jets are hoping that with the addition of Marshall, they will again return to contend for a playoff spot in the upcoming 2015 NFL Season.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author.

RELATED STORIES