Fantasy Football: Bears-Marshall Trade Reaction

The news of ex-Broncos Brandon Marshall, Jay Cutler and passing guru Jeremy Bates reuniting in Chicago, after the Dolphins shipped B-Marsh to the Bears on Tuesday, should please Points Per Reception league owners to no end.

After two seasons of less than 90 receptions with Miami, Marshall possibly needed a boost in personnel or change of scenery for 2012, and amazingly ended up getting the best of both worlds.

In 2008, Bates' one season of directing Cutler and Marshall in Denver, Marshall tallied 104 catches, 1,265 yards, six touchdowns and an NFL-high 182 targets, while Cutler threw for 4,526 yards and 25 TDs.

Both Cutler and Marshall enjoyed tangible success away from Bates in Chicago and Miami, respectively; but 2008 remains a defining campaign for a QB-WR combo that can be explosive between the 20s and near-unstoppable in the red zone. Even with Marshall (81 catches/1,214 yards/6 TDs in 2011) approaching his 28th birthday and Cutler enduring season-ending injuries in 2010 and 2011, fantasy owners should be very optimistic about the pair's future prospects, especially if tailback Matt Forte plays a full season.

As for Bears fans, they can rejoice in the franchise securing its first anchor at wide receiver in a long time, likely eclipsing the buzz from acquiring Muhsin Muhammad, Marty Booker, David Terrell, Wendell Davis, Willie Gault or James Scott.

In fact, Walter Payton currently stands as the Bears' all-time receiver with 492 catches. If the Marshall plan gets enacted for the long term, he could possibly own the Chicago receiving record by the end of the 2016 season. But it'll take a lot of trust and creativity from the Cutler-Marshall-Bates troika to bring that feat to light. 

With Marshall in the fold, Cutler (2,319 yards passing, 13 TDs in 10 games last year) could use one more upgrade at receiver or tight end, via free agency or the draft. Earl Bennett, Dane Sanzenbacher and Devin Hester each have unique talents, but the Bears still need help to rival the Packers or Lions in passing potential.

Cutler projections: 4,208 yards passing, 24 TDs
Marshall projections: 96 catches, 1,193 yards, 6 TDs

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.