Marshall discusses contract extension and relationship with QB Cutler.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall has revealed that the trade deal taking him from the Miami Dolphins was a ‘career-saving’ move.
The 30-year-old also conceded that the switch had an impact on his personal life and is thankful to the franchise for making the deal happen as he celebrated signing a three-year extension worth $23m guaranteed earlier this week.
Marshall joined the Bears after four seasons in Denver between 2006-2009 and two in Miami (2010-11) with a past steeped in volatility on and off the field.
“I don’t think I’d be sitting in this position talking about an extension [if not for the trade to Chicago],” Marshall said, ESPN reports.
“I probably wouldn’t even be having the success that I was having on the field in that environment [in Miami]. It wasn’t right for me.”
The Bears began contract talks with Marshall in March, but the receiver has revealed that they had held discussions before the 2013 season. However, general manager Phil Emery told Marshall that there was a game plan and while he part of the franchise’s plans, he couldn’t give him the deal at that time.
Despite possibly being annoyed by that, Marshall went on to put up 100 receptions to become the first player in franchise history to produce back-to-back 100 catch seasons.
Although Marshall could have demanded a significant deal to make him the highest paid receiver in the league, he looked at the bigger picture and realised that the Bears could keep together their dangerous offensive unit including the likes of Jermon Bushrod, Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett and quarterback Jay Cutler.
Emery has since described Marshall as a “great team-mate” for his sacrifices, and the organisation will hope for a successful year ahead.
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