The Brandon Marshall playoff drought has entered mythical status

Brandon Marshall has probably had one of the most unique careers in the history of the NFL. That’s saying a lot given its long track record.

He’s been involved with the law. In and out of hospitals regarding a personality disorder, burned tons of bridges with teammates and coaches, and been arguably one of the best wide receivers in the NFL for a good seven seasons. The fact he did it with several different teams and zero All-Pro quarterbacks makes it all the more impressive.

Yet what might be most impressive is his uncanny bad luck when it comes to reaching the playoffs. Marshall was drafted in 2006, has played with five different teams in his career and hasn’t never once participated in a postseason game. Not only that, but the incredible ways he’s found to miss the opportunities is a story that must be retold.

2008

Marshall’s first true brush with the postseason began in 2008. It was his third year with the Denver Broncos and was easily the best team he’d played on up to that point. While making his first Pro Bowl with over 1,200 yards, the Broncos were 8-5 with three games to play. All they had to do was win one of the final three to secure the AFC West title. They failed, losing each of the three games including a brutal finale against San Diego where they fell 52-21.

2009

Despite a tumultuous offseason that included losing his starting quarterback Jay Cutler, things seemed like they were back on track in 2009. Marshall was in the midst of another Pro Bowl year and his team rocketed out to a 6-0 start. This included an overtime win over the mighty New England Patriots. Everything was going their way. Everything fell apart after the bye week. Denver lost eight of their final 10 games.

2012

After another down season in Denver and two rough years in Miami, Marshall was traded to the Chicago Bears in 2012. It seemed like a perfect setup. They had an elite defense with a veteran core of leadership. They also employed his former quarterback in Cutler. He responded with the best season of his career, going over 1,500 yards with 11 touchdowns. The Bears did end up finishing 10-6. However, a series of freak missed tiebreakers left them out of the playoffs.

2013

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As painful as the previous year was, this one was much worse. Marshall had yet another outstanding year for Chicago and the offense he played in may have been the best in terms of overall talent including other Pro Bowlers like Alshon Jeffery, Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett. It came down to the final game of the season. If they won, the Bears would be division champions. They held the lead 28-27 with minutes left in the game. Then Aaron Rodgers hit Randall Cobb for a 48-yard touchdown, crushing Marshall’s hopes again.

2015

After being traded from Chicago, the veteran receiver was out to prove that he was still one of the best in the NFL. He did just that in 2015, going over 1,500 yards and topping his career-high with 14 touchdowns. Once again he was on a veteran team capable of making a run. Once again he had a backup quarterback playing the best football of his career and once again the season finale ended in gutwrenching defeat with a loss to Buffalo knocking the New York Jets from the playoff picture. Again despite winning 10 games.

2018

This year might be especially bittersweet for Marshall. He’s barely played at all but has in fact spent time on not one but two teams that are likely to reach the playoffs. He played for the Seattle Seahawks first, catching 11 balls before they decided to cut ties. They’re now 8-5 and in perfect position for a wild card. Then he was scooped up by the New Orleans Saints who are currently favorites to win the #1 seed in the NFC and go to the Super Bowl. Now he’s been cut by them too. Just brutal.

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