Brandon Marshall to Bears: 5 Bold Predictions for the WR's 1st Year in Chicago

The Chicago Bears made a big splash the first day of free agency by not signing a free agent. Instead, they traded two third-round picks for the talented and volatile Brandon Marshall. 

The six-year pro has spent the last two seasons in Miami, where he has been productive but not at the level he was when catching passes from his good friend, Jay Cutler. The two are now reunited in Chicago as the Bears finally got the No. 1 wide receiver that has been eluding them for so long.

In just a short time, the start of Marshall's Bears career has gotten off to a strange one. Many people are now scrambling to figure out what will happen and what kind of player he will be for the team going forward.

Here are five bold predictions for Marshall in his first season as a Bear.  

Marshall Will Not Be Suspended

Last week, Bears fans' excitement over the trade quickly tempered when the news broke over an incident Marshall is alleged to have been involved with.

A woman claims Marshall hit her in the face outside of a New York City club the Sunday before the trade. Marshall has denied the incident and has not been charged with anything yet. The NFL has already contacted the Bears on the matter, who said they knew of the situation going into the trade. 

The process obviously has to take its course, and time will only tell what becomes of the allegations. However, the fact that Marshall has not been charged and continues to vehemently deny the incident suggests he will never be charged and not suspended by the NFL.  

A 1,500-Yard Season Will Happen

A Bears wide receiver has not had a 1,000-yard season since Marty Booker had one in 2002.

Marshall had more than 1,200 yards catching passes primarily from Matt Moore just last season.

Until Marshall got to town, the Bears' lacked a go-to receiver. Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett and Devin Hester have all proven to be solid secondary options, but none stand out as a true No. 1 receiver. 

Marshall's biggest season in terms of yardage came in 2007 when he had a shade more than 1,300—he was also catching passes from a young gunslinger named Jay Cutler back then. Look for both players to rekindle their great on-field relationship in a big way, which will lead to Marshall having more than 1,500 yards.  

Marshall Will Hold the Team's Single-Season Record for Touchdowns

Back in 1947, Ken Kavanaugh had 13 touchdown receptions for the Bears. In 1970, Dick Gordon matched that number in his Pro Bowl season with the team. Those men currently have the franchise record in touchdown receptions for a single season. 

Even though Brandon Marshall's highest output was 10 TDs back in 2009, if there is one weakness throughout the NFC North teams, it is their secondaries. Marshall has a chance to exploit that weakness in a major way. 

Jay Cutler will rely on Marshall heavily in the red zone because he is a big target, and the Bears lack a quality tight end. Marshall will reap the benefits and cash in on a touchdown season of 14 or more. 

He'll Be Oh-So-Close to 100 Receptions

Last season, RB Matt Forte led the Bears in receptions with 52. There wasn't a wide receiver on the team last year with 40 catches.

With that said, there is room for Brandon Marshall to come in and catch a lot of footballs, but 100 is not going to happen—yet. 

Marshall has gone over the 100-reception mark three times in his career, so it is not a foreign area for him. However, the Bears will still rely heavily on Forte in a more controlled offense under Mike Tice.

Over the last two seasons, Marshall has had 81 and 86 receptions, respectively. He will increase his output when reunited with Jay Cutler by about 10 catches to just finish under 100 this year. 

He'll Be the Best in the Division

Calvin Johnson had 96 receptions for more than 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He was by far the best receiver in the NFC North last year. Greg Jennings is a very good receiver for the Green Bay Packers, but he isn't the only guy on that team, and they like to spread the ball around. 

Brandon Marshall has a legitimate chance to come into the division and be the most productive wide receiver next season. He will have stiff competition from Megatron, but Marshall is up to the challenge to surpass him and the rest of the NFC North. 

Both the Lions and Bears have similarly scheduled opponents next season, including home games against the Rams, Texans and Colts. Both teams also will travel to Arizona and San Francisco. Johnson is an all-world talent with the brand-new contract, but Marshall has a new energy and bounce in his step that will carry him through the whole season. 

Marshall will have a bigger season than Johnson. Book it!