Bears trade Brandon Marshall to Jets

It’s no secret that the Bears have been open to trading receiver Brandon Marshall, who had a 2014 season full of drama. On Friday, they appear to have found that trade partner.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report that the Bears have agreed to trade Marshall to the New York Jets, pending a physical. Trades can’t become official until Tuesday, when the new league year begins at 3 p.m.

The Bears declined to confirm the move. They are expected to receive a late-round selection in return for Marshall. NFL Network reported it’s a fifth-round pick.

MORRISSEY: Good riddance, Brandon!

The trade of Marshall comes a day after sources said that the Bears were considering trades for Marshall. Sources also indicated that those close to Marshall were bracing for changes.

Marshall’s move to New York was expressed on social media. On Instagram, Marshall and his wife, Michi, posted the same photo, saying “Thank You Chicago!” Tight end Martellus Bennett also made an emotional post on Instagram with a photo of Marshall and himself.

“Really hurt my heart hearing today’s news,” Bennett wrote. “I love this dude so much. He’s one of my daughter’s two God Dads. Our friendship goes beyond the field, I’ve been a fan of [Marshall] since he played in Denver. Always wanted to play like him, worked on my game to emulate his. I just wanted to play the way B Marsh played and plays.

“I came to Chicago to continue to learn from you, the phone conversations weren’t enough. I appreciate everything you’ve taught me and continue to teach me. You’ve always been more than a teammate you’re a brother, a friend, and a mentor. [I’ll]continue to carry the torch. I just wanted to say something. I love you bro. And I’ll miss suiting up with you.”

On Twitter, EAG Sports Management, a sports marketing and public relations firm that represents Marshall, said: “Congrats to @BMarshall heading to the @nyjets . We love New York.”

The Bears free up roughly $4 million in salary-cap space by trading Marshall. His $7.5 million base salary would have guaranteed on March 12, the third day of the league year.

But this isn’t a salary-cap move.

General manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox were trying to figure out if the mercurial receiver fit into their plans after a hectic 2014 season for Marshall. There were several episodes last season that were deemed distractions by those inside Halas Halll. According to sources, his relationship with Jay Cutler also became very strained.

“I know this: Football needs to be the No. 1 priority,” Pace said when asked at the NFL Scouting Combine whether he considered Marshall’s off-the-field behavior in 2014 a distraction to the team. “And we’re going to win a lot of games if every week football is our No. 1 priority.

“We need to make our own decisions and our own judgements,”