Chicago Bears

Report: Brandon Marshall trade motivated by money

Published Apr. 22, 2015 1:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

The real motivation behind the Bears' decision to trade wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets this past March has been revealed.

Marshall was not traded because of character issues such as being at the center of a locker room tirade following a Chicago loss last season. The trade was about money, it was contract driven and all about avoiding the cap hit, according to a Metro New York article.

Cap flexibility, that's a legitimate reason to trade away a Pro Bowl-level wide out like Marshall. Alshon Jeffery is capable of a number one wide receiver role. If the wide receiving corps is properly built around Jeffery, then Marshall's absence should not be as impactful.

(h/t Metro New York)