NFL Free Agency: Breaking Down the Brandon Marshall Trade

The Dolphins have shipped mercurial receiver Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears for third round picks in the 2012 and 2013 drafts. 

While Marshall was easily the most talented receiver the Dolphins had on the roster over the past couple of decades, he was arguably the biggest headache they had as well.

Marshall's cap number for 2012 is $11.5 million, $5.8 million of which Miami has now reportedly cleared from the books. This gives them roughly $21 million to spend after rolling over cap space from last season, if my math is correct.

There are several possibilities for jettisoning the talented receiver.

Some rumors have stated that Marshall on the roster was a deterrent in bringing Peyton Manning to the Dolphins. Indeed, while Manning met with the likes of Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona, Marshall had been invisible in the Manning sweepstakes.

If that were to be the case, the Dolphins cleared enough room to make a run at some wide receiving options, including Vincent Jackson, Robert Meachem and long-time Peyton Manning target Reggie Wayne. The Dolphins may also be looking to draft a top receiving prospect like Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd with the No. 8 pick and perhaps draft a receiver in the middle rounds to boot.

Reuniting Marshall with Jay Cutler could also simply be ridding themselves of the powder keg in Miami. Marshall is one misstep from a year-long suspension. The options they have in free agency and the draft can fill that hole nicely in the long run.

Dolphins fans may shudder at the ultimate possibility that Jeff Ireland is clearing house to rebuild. This seems unlikely, though, given Miami's pursuit of Manning. I also doubt Ross would tolerate a rebuilding period when the team was clearly built to win now.

The compensation the Dolphins received may seem like a trifle for an über-talented receiver in the middle of his contract, but if it helps net them Peyton Manning, there is no question this was the right move to make.