Late on Thursday, several reports indicated that the New York Jets have released six-time pro bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The 32-year-old played two seasons with the Jets after the Chicago Bears traded him to New York before the 2015 season.
Marshall only had three touchdown catches in 2016, as the Jets had major quarterback issues and ended the season at 5-11. Marshall was in the final year of his three-year, $26 million contract.
And now the Jets are releasing WR Brandon Marshall, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2017
Source: #Jets intend to release WR Brandon Marshall
— Kimberley A. Martin (@KMart_LI) March 3, 2017
Marshall reportedly asked for the release and the Jets were willing to make the cut.
One source close to Brandon Marshall texted: "Really appreciate Jets for giving him the opportunity and they did offer him an extension."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2017
#Jets save $7.5M by releasing Brandon Marshall… he'll count $1.875M against the cap in dead money
— Kimberley A. Martin (@KMart_LI) March 3, 2017
Marshall has played 11 seasons with four different teams during his career and now is hoping to find a better fit.
I'm told #Jets are granting Brandon Marshall's wish for his release so he can find a better fit
— Kimberley A. Martin (@KMart_LI) March 3, 2017
Yet, after he was traded by the Bears, Marshall said on Twitter that the Jets would be his final team. If he was cut, he would retire. This was from July 2015.
If I'm cut tomorrow. I'll retire. This will be my last team⛳️ https://t.co/DSCeBs3iSU
— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshall) July 17, 2015
It’s not just that tweet because in December 2015, Marshall said the following to the New York Daily News.
“Once the Jets say, ‘We don’t need you anymore,’ I’m going to venture off into that world,” Marshall told the Daily News. “I’m not playing for another team. Four is all I need. It’s too hard to make new friends and relationships and deal with different egos. I don’t like the business already. So I’m not trying to deal with that.”
Of course, a lot can change in two years. One factor that comes into play is that although Marshall has put up some great individual seasons, he still has not played in the postseason. So, the motivation to be on a winning team could certainly be more prevalent with Marshall after two rough years in New York.
Marshall has 941 catches, 12,061 yards and 82 touchdowns during his 11-year career. In his first two seasons with the Bears, Marshall put up some eye-popping numbers, hauling in 218 catches and 23 touchdowns. After Ryan Pace and the new coaching staff came in, Marshall’s time was up and was dealt to the Jets for a fifth round draft pick.
So, we’ll wait and see what’s next for Marshall, who split Bears fans in half after he was traded. Again, he put up good numbers during his first year in New York, but he wasn’t enough to get them to the next level.
By the way, now that Marshall is gone, the Jay Cutler to the Jets talk is going to ramp up.
