Photo: Getty Images - Jamie Squire
- Troy BallardIt didn't take long for new Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery to start making changes -- kicking off his tenure by trading for three time Pro-Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall, reuniting him with Jay Cutler.
Cutler and Marshall go way back to the days when the two donned the orange and blue for the Broncos. However, in something almost fit for a sitcom, both were traded away from Denver, and now, after all these seasons, are finally back together.
Not only does Cutler get to be chummy about having a former teammate and friend join the Bears' club, but Chicago finally eliminates the need for a true top receiver. It seemed that whenever the team had a chance to obtain a receiver with elite talent, the organization let it slide, and left Cutler to his devices.
Apparently, under Emery's watch, this won't be the case in Chicago. And Cutler and Marshall couldn't be happier about the change in management style.
People occasionally ask when talking about NFL trades, what is considered, 'on the cheap?' That can be answered with: the Bears acquiring Marshall, a Pro-Bowl wide receiver, for two third-round picks. Can we consider that as good as it gets in terms of cost for the Bears? You bet.
Of course, the Bears did absorb Marshall's hefty contract that runs through 2015. However, it's hardly even going to be noticed if Marshall can post the same numbers he did when Cutler was lobbing him passes in Denver.
For Chicago, this move is huge -- and it can't be understated. The team has finally acquired that star receiver, something that has been MIA for nearly a decade. Marshall is a 1,000+ man that will join the team and make an immediate impact from day one.
Before Cutler's season was ended last season with a broken thumb, he was having a quietly amazing year. That was with almost no receiving talent flanking him on the outside. The only support he had was from Matt Forte in the backfield, who also went down with injury towards the end of the season.
With a true star receiver on the outside, Cutler's potential is limitless.
Ok, it's still Jay.
But, no less, it will be Cutler with a great receiver! The poor guy has been begging for a star like Marshall practically since he was traded to the Bears, and the organization has finally delivered. It's now on Cutler to show that he can make the plays with the talent provided and push his name into the ever elusive 'elite quarterback club.'
With Marshall and Cutler already having a past and chemistry, Forte coming back from injury, and the Chicago defense being as good as ever -- watch out for the Bears!
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