Brandon Marshall to Bears: What to Expect

Just before the start of free agency on Tuesday, the Bears agreed to trade two 3^rd round draft picks for Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall.  Marshall, who played with current Bears quarterback Jay Cutler for three years in Denver, will be the big receiver for which many Bears fans have been clamoring for years.  So now, let’s go in-depth as to what we can expect from Marshall in Chicago.

At 6’4” and 230 pounds, Marshall does an excellent job of using his body to get separation.  He is also a fantastic run blocker.  Not only will he directly help Matt Forte and the Bears’ running game in that manner but he will also help by guaranteeing that Forte won’t be facing 8-man defensive fronts as frequently as he has in the past.  As good as he is in run-blocking or at getting separation, Marshall does his best work with the ball in his hands.  He is one of the best WRs in the NFL after the catch. 

The biggest reason he landed in Chicago, though, is his relationship with Jay Cutler.  Regarding his chemistry with Cutler, Marshall said “It's hard to find that and sometimes it's once in a lifetime” during an interview on ESPN in January.  He went on to say, “We'll line up there and we'll get a coverage and he will just look at me and I'll know exactly where he wants to adjust my route. You don't find that. It got to a point where coaches, they didn't know what we were doing so we'll install a whole play and they'll give us a play on the front side and put me on the back side and they'll tell us just do what you all do and just make it work. We had a lot of freedom in our offense, and we made it work and chemistry was great. It was something special."  Click here for video example.  In the video, Cutler and Marshall both know what they're going to do once the safety drops into the box.  Notice that Marshall breaks straight off the line of scrimmage, leaving room toward the sideline for a break at the end of the route.  Lastly, notice the throw.  Does that back shoulder throw remind anyone of a certain green and yellow QB in our division?  The play in this video is the same play that Aaron Rodgers has used to torch opposing defenses for the last two years.  At long last, the Bears are in a position to fight fire with fire.