The Chicago Bears have decisions to make on a few of their key players. With the salary cap in mind, the team must determine their commitment to players like Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte. With a new front office and coaching regime in place, some veterans are aware their futures are not guaranteed. Both the wide receiver market and running back market are deep this offseason which could push Chicago one way or another.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Marshall is getting interest on the trade market. 2015 is a buyer's market in terms of wide receivers. There are a lot of talented players available in both free agency and the NFL Draft, so while there is interest in Marshall, teams could look to other players instead of giving up draft picks for a veteran. Marshall's contract could actually help him in this situation. The wide receiver is just a short-term burden with a deal that expires in 2018. Any team that is looking to win sooner rather than later could aim to acquire the receiver.
According to NFL.com, the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens could be contenders to try and acquire Marshall. The Bears will not release the wide receiver. Pairing him with Alshon Jeffery is certainly productive and one year of injuries does not hurt Marshall's standings with the team. However, Chicago would give him up in a heartbeat if a good offer is presented.
"I don't think anybody would be (comfortable) sitting in the gray, but this is the National Football League," Marshall said, via the Chicago Tribune. "This is our business. It's not a unique situation. It happens every single year. Like I said in the middle of the season, some players think that when you lose, oh, the coach is going to be gone. No, they move players, too. I get that and understand that."
However, could the Bears favor a deal for Forte instead. Despite his age, the running back has yet to show a decline in stats as he enters the final year of his contract. He was one of the lone bright spots in 2014 and is currently pushing for a contract extension. He is a $9.2 million cap hit in 2015 which is not ideal for a team looking to rebuild. That could push the Bears to dump Forte in favor of a cheaper and younger player like CJ Spiller, Mark Ingram or Justin Forsett. There could be a solid market for Forte despite his cap hit if the Bears are willing to accept less in a trade.
