When I first heard the news of the Chicago Bears had traded their 2012 and 2013 third round draft picks to the Miami Dolphins for Brandon Marshall, I was speechless.
It was the kind of speechlessness that you find yourself in when you’re so happy inside that nothing comes out.
For years I had begged and pleaded with the Bears to go after a true number one wide receiver and not rely on mediocre receivers. I wasn’t alone in this.
Jay Cutler’s performance last season before he went down with the thumb injury (it saddens me to have to think about it again) proved that the Bears had taken the right risk in acquiring him. Matt Forte had another stellar year at the running back position. Hell, even the offensive line was looking good by the end of the season.
The only thing missing from the equation was a receiver.
Not anymore.
Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall have been reunited in Chicago. (Photo via Chicagonow.com)
Bears Trade For Brandon Marshall A “Steal”
Brandon Marshall instantly becomes the best receiver the Bears have.
He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and already has been Cutler’s go-to man back in Denver. Because of this, Cutler and Marshall already have great chemistry, so it’s going to a lot of fun to see these two playing their game in a Bears uniform without having to designate time to get used to each other.
The bigger picture bodes even better for the Bears. This trade is practically a steal, and it also leaves open money and cap space that they didn’t spend on, say Vincent Jackson, that they can now spend on possibly acquiring a defensive end like Mario Williams, which would almost certainly make the Bears the NFC North favorites next season. If they don’t acquire Williams, the Bears could target an offensive lineman.
This is looking to be a fantastic off-season for the Bears. How many times could we say this when Jerry Angelo was GM? I know it wouldn’t be exactly accurate to directly link this trade to Angelo’s firing, but I am going to anyway. Angelo may have done the same thing – we’ll never know – but what we do know is that he never did actively go after a receiver.
Instead, he decided to waste the talents of Cutler and Forte.
If this is the new Bears front office, one that actively tries to improve the team, which means taking being aggressive and landing trades like this one, then I am excited for the Bears’ future.
The pieces are all there for the Bears to make a deep playoff run; and for once in a long while, I feel confident and am even looking forward to the NFL season.
*Update: Adam Schefter has tweeted that the Bears have signed a one-year deal with QB Jason Cambell. This is a great pickup for the Bears, as they continue to impress me with their offseason decisions. I already LOVE this offseason.
About Tyler Juranovich
