Bears Trade For Dolphins WR Marshall

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 13, 2012 8:35PM

The NFL's free agency period opened at 3 p.m. and, while all eyes are on where Peyton Manning will land, the Bears are at the epicenter of a major trade that (hopefully) gives Jay Cutler the threat at wide receiver that's been missing since the team traded for him three years ago.

Fox Sports Jay Glazer reports the Bears have acquired Miami Dolphins wideout Brandon Marshall in exchange for third-round draft picks. WSCR-AM confirms the draft picks are for this year and in 2013.

Marshall, a six-year veteran, has caught 494 and 34 touchdowns in his career. But his most productive years were when he and Cutler were in Denver and earned a reputation as a physical receiver receiver who inflicted as much punishment as he received. He's a three-time Pro Bowl selection, a 2009 All-Pro, and MVP of this year's Pro Bowl.

Marshall has also been outspoken about his struggles with borderline personality disorder. There may be questions about how the Bears were able to acquire Marshall for so little in return, but on the surface, this is a great first move by new Bears GM Phil Emery.