Chicago Bears Trade for Stud Miami Receiver Brandon Marshall

The Chicago Bears have been looking for a top receiver for some time. They traded two third-round picks to the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver Brandon Marshall.  Devin Hester is a play-maker, and the NFL's best return-man ever, but he is not a top receiver. Marshall is the big, fast receiver Chicago has been looking for.

Some people thought they would be targeting free agent Vincent Jackson, but clearly the Bears had other ideas.

Quarterback Jay Cutler has been pleading for a No.1 receiver since he arrived in Chicago. He is getting his wish and is re-united with his former Broncos teammate. Having Marshall might turn Jay Cutler into the top-tier quarterback Chicago thought he would be.

Marshall is the best in the NFL at getting open. Catching 20 balls in a game is almost routine for him. The Bears have Matt Forte in the backfield, one of the best pass-catching running backs in football. Having to account for him, along with Marshall, should give Cutler the options he needs to run a high-powered offense.

Chicago's window of opportunity on defense is dwindling fast, however. Lance Briggs, Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher are all on the tail-end of their careers. With the Packers and Lions in the same division, the addition of Marshall seems necessary.

The question now will be if Jay Cutler can live up to his potential now that he seemingly has the weapons needed. Bears fans will be expecting playoffs this season as a result of this deal, and if that doesn't happen, it will be Cutler who will get the blame. 

Chicago is making a big play to be not only more relevant, but dominant in the power-infested NFC. We'll see if it works.

Even if it is only a mild success, the Bears will have only given up a couple of third-round picks. For Brandon Marshall's ability, it looks like a steal. If I were a Miami Dolphins fan, I would be a bit more than frustrated with this move.