Baltimore Ravens Rumors: Brandon Marshall coming to town?

By Baxter Colburn | Feb 6, 2015

Brandon Marshall to the Baltimore Ravens is becoming an interesting rumor around the league. This is still speculation of course, but after details of a conversation between Marshall and John Harbaugh emerged while the two were at the Super Bowl, the rumor mill is in full swing.

The situation for Marshall is this, he plays for the Chicago Bears, a team that just saw their head coach and GM fired. On top of that, Marshall works as an analyst for Showtimes “Inside the NFL,” something the Bears never thought highly of during last season. Marshall used his Tuesday’s to fly out to New York to do the show, because of it being his day off from practice during the week.

It is no secret that Marshall loves doing the show and is actually very good at it. Once he decides to hang up his cleats after a long and successful career, expect to see him all over your television.

While working the Super Bowl, Marshall interviewed Harbaugh and the two had quite the conversation, according to a recent video he did for Showtime.

"“[During Super Bowl Week] I actually interviewed [Harbaugh],” Marshall said in a recent video posted by Showtime. “I said, ‘If I played for you, would you let me do ‘Inside the NFL?’“He said, ‘Oh, absolutely.’ He knew I was taking a lot of heat for doing the show. But, when you are the first in the space to do something like this, you are going to get a lot of push-back and we (The Bears) had the worst year possible.”"

The video by Marshall does seem like he is joking about a move to Baltimore next season, especially after he went on to say that he thinks next season in Chicago will be better then last year. How can you blame him? Last season was just horrible for the Bears organization, especially for Jay Cutler and the offense.

Marshall is undoubtedly a top-10 wide receiver in the NFL. Since coming to the NFL via the Denver Broncos in 2006, Marshall has piled up very impressive stats. The former University of Central Florida product has 773 receptions, 75 touchdowns and averages 12.6 yards a catch. Not to shabby by any account.

More from Baltimore Ravens

It is no joke that Chicago needs a lot of help within their organization, especially when it comes to wanting to keep players like Marshall. The amount of talent that the Bears have is almost unfair. Without getting to far off track and making a rip at Cutler, one defining factor of the Bears struggles in 2014 was the under production of Cutler.

Chicago did have reports of some locker room issues and Marshall’s name did emerge as someone possibly responsible for some of the issues. So, as talented as he is, Chicago might be in the market to possibly ditch the wide out and bring in someone who would bring harmony to the locker room instead of issues.

Keeping a positive attitude in a locker room is very difficult to carry out, but if there is one thing Chicago does not need, it is constant problems off the field. The Bears have enough problems on the field to worry about, why bring more stress with off field issues as well.

Baltimore boats a roster similar to Chicago is terms of offensive weapons. Joe Flacco is a great quarterback and is not afraid to air the ball out. Torrey Smith is a free agent this season, but even if he does leave, Steve Smith remains on the roster, along with Justin Forsett, Owen Daniels and Jacoby Jones. The addition of Marshall could help Baltimore become a threat in the AFC once again.

The Ravens boast strong leadership on and off the field, thanks to having Harbaugh as coach, as well as veteran players like Terrell Suggs and Flacco. Last time anyone checked, Chicago almost needs their hands held just to walk onto the field each game. Yes that is a bit of an exaggeration, but the truth remains, the situation is Chicago is getting worse with each passing day. Hopefully for the organizations sake, Coach Fox can get the team on the straight and narrow.

"“The Bears new management group and coaching staff has an out from the deal if it wants,” wrote The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs."

According to the Tribune, Marshall is due a base salary of $7.5 million in 2015, and it becomes fully guaranteed if he is on the roster come March 12. Did you do the math? That is about five weeks for the Bears organization to make a decision.

If Chicago do cut Marshall, they would save $7.7 million in cash, and $3.95 million in cap space. But he would count $5.625 million in dead money against the cap. In an injury-filled season, Marshall produced 61 receptions for 721 yards and eight touchdowns. That was considered a down season for the five-time Pro Bowler, and not enough production for $7.7 million, says Biggs.

Baltimore, along other places, seem like a good fit for Marshall. Not only would Marshall get the opportunity to work with several key players in the NFL, but he would also get to play for Harbaugh and yes, even have a shorter commute to his “Inside the NFL” show in NYC.

No matter what Chicago decides to do with Marshall, he needs to make it clear what he want’s going into next season as well. Marshall is a talented player, but is Chicago the right place for him to continue his career? Only time will tell.

Next: Baltimore Owes Joe Flacco More Weapons

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Baltimore Ravens