NFL Trade Machine: Brandon Marshall To Baltimore

Nov 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrates his touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Rumors are an everyday part of the NFL trade circuit, and it’s always critical to separate the ones that hold validity to those that are harebrained.  One that has emerged recently amidst social media is the idea of the Chicago Bears sending Brandon Marshall to the Baltimore Ravens.

Aside from the surprising nature of the idea, how are both sides served if such a deal is true?

Why it’s good for Baltimore

The signing of Steve Smith was a nice touch by the Ravens this past season, but the team really still does lack a true #1 receiver presence on offense for Joe Flacco.  Marshall is that big-bodied presence they had when Anquan Boldin was still there.  He’s also younger than Smith and a possible last-ditch effort to cover up the loss of Torrey Smith, who’s a free agent.

Besides that, Marshall is desperate to join a team that can make the playoffs and would also reunite with Marc Trestman, who was his head coach for two years in Chicago and is now offensive coordinator for the Ravens.

Why it’s good for Chicago

A new regime is in charge for the Bears, and with that comes new ideas.  Brandon Marshall was not an acquisition for new GM Ryan Pace.  After a 5-11 finish, the team is in need of serious tweaks to their roster.  That will require money and draft picks.  Trading Marshall to the Ravens would alleviate them of an extra $4 million in cap space for 2015 free agency and also get them a probable mid round pick, pushing their total to seven.

Their reasoning also goes beyond practical ones.  Marshall suffered a series of debilitating injuries in 2014.  It’s a problem that has followed him the past few years.  Also, he turns 31 in March.  That isn’t too old for receivers, but it signals he’s approaching that zone of concern.

Lastly?  He continues to find ways to cause distractions for his team.  Aside from his usual personality quirks, Marshall took time away from the Bears to film his “A Football Life” documentary, appear weekly on Inside The NFL and even get into a war of words with critics on both Twitter and the radio.

Drawbacks

It’s obvious for each team.  Baltimore would be taking a risk on Marshall for both health and personality reasons.  Never mind his sizeable contract.  As for the Bears, they would be giving up a proven commodity at receiver, putting even more pressure on Alshon Jeffery to step up as the #1 guy and also Ryan Pace for finding a way to replace the production.

In the end it’s an NFL trade that makes lots of sense, but has plenty of high-risk, high-reward.