Brandon Marshall was almost traded to the New England Patriots

In a surprise appearance on ESPN 1000 on Friday, former Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall said he was almost traded to the New England Patriots before last season.

Marshall, of course, was traded to the New York Jets this offseason after general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox took over the Bears.

“I could have played for the Patriots last year,” Marshall told the “Carmen and Jurko Show” after stopping into their studio. “There was an opportunity where there probably could have [been] a trade before the season.”

Marshall indicated that the Bears explored trading him before signing him to an extension a year ago. On May 19, 2014, Marshall signed a three-year, $30 million extension, including $22.3 million in guaranteed money, on “The View.”

“It was my agent and the Chicago Bears because there was a little tension on the contract staff,” Marshall said. “I thought I was worth a little more. … There were a couple of teams that were offering more money.

“It never got that far, but there was a possibility with a couple teams.”

Marshall said he wanted to remain with the Bears. He was traded to the Jets for a fifth-round selection, which turned into Penn State safety Adrian Amos.

“I really thought that Chicago was going to be my home forever,” Marshall said.

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Marshall hasn’t spoken to quarterback Jay Cutler since being traded to Jets. Their relationship soured last season. Marshall said his only communication with Cutler has been through a group text message started by receiver Eric Decker. But he has run into Cutler’s wife, Kristin Cavallari, in Chicago.

“We didn’t talk at all,” Marshall said of Cutler.

Marshall is opening a new FitSpeed Athletic Performance center in Naperville. Tight end Martellus Bennett has been working at his Northbrook facility. Bennett is looking for a new contract and hasn’t taken part in the Bears’ offseason training. Bennett is close friend of Marshall’s and they share the same agent.

“He may get traded,” Marshall said. “There’s some things going on right now … but let me stop.”

Email: ajahns@suntimes.com

Twitter: @adamjahns