The New York Jets are releasing veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall at his request, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday, according to a source informed of the decision. The Jets confirmed Friday they will release Marshall.
The development comes just days after the team notified both cornerback Darrelle Revis and offensive lineman Nick Mangold of their impending release. All transactions will become official once the new league year begins March 9.
The Bears dealt Marshall via trade to the Jets in 2015. In his first season with the team, he recorded franchise-record-setting numbers in receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,503) and matched the team's all-time mark in receiving touchdowns. In 2016, Marshall's numbers slid considerably. He totaled 788 yards receiving and three touchdowns. He also posted career lows for receptions (59) and receiving touchdowns (3).
The 32-year-old wideout, who will be 33 later this month, was scheduled to make $7.5 million in 2017. Rapoport noted the Jets will save more than $7 million dollars on the salary cap with Marshall's release.
Marshall took to social media early Friday morning to thank the Jets organization:
Entering his 12th season in the league, Marshall will ideally be looking to join a potential Super Bowl contender, Rapoport reported. He has yet to play in a postseason tilt despite stints with four different clubs -- Denver, Miami, Chicago and New York.
Per NFL Research, Marshall ranks first in the league in receptions (921) and receiving yards (11,752) over the last 10 seasons. He is tied for first in 100-yard receiving games (46) and tied for second in receiving touchdowns (80). In addition, the six-time Pro Bowl selection has the most 100-reception seasons (6) in NFL history.
Marshall will undoubtedly receive plenty of attention on the free-agent market. The question is whether he's still capable of producing the level of numbers that made him one of the league's most dominant wide receivers since he entered the NFL in 2006.
