Bears trade Marshall to Jets for fifth-round pick

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brandon Marshall's time with the Chicago Bears is over. In a bold move finalized Friday, new Bears General Manager Ryan Pace agreed to trade the five-time Pro Bowl receiver to the New York Jets, signifying a new course for a franchise that's looking to turn the page after last season's 5-11 free-fall.

NFL Network reported the Bears will receive a fifth-round pick in the 2015 draft in exchange for Marshall. The trade cannot become official until 3 p.m. Tuesday when the NFL's new league year begins.

By parting with Marshall, who turns 31 later this month, the Bears will save close to $4 million under the salary cap for the coming season and $7.7 million in cash, providing added cushion to their roster-rebuilding budget. But with the Bears entering free agency approximately $28 million under the cap for 2015, the Marshall move is about far more than economics with Pace and new coach John Fox making it clear they preferred a separation from a player whose drama often overshadows his production.

Marshall finished the 2014 season on injured reserve, missing the Bears' final three games after suffering fractured ribs and an injured lung in the team's Week 14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Marshall had been previously hindered last season by a high ankle sprain and finished the year with only 61 catches for 721 yards and eight touchdowns.

That marked Marshall's lowest production since his rookie season in 2006 and stopped a streak of seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, a stretch during which he averaged 99 receptions, 1,249 yards and eight scores per year.

Despite having one of the most storied careers in franchise history, the 36-year-old Wayne was slowing down.

He missed the last nine games in 2013 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and was hobbled last season by a torn triceps.

He's second in franchise history in receptions (1,070), yards receiving (14,345) and touchdown catches.

Running back Marshawn Lynch will be back with the Seahawks after agreeing to a new contract with the team, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Lynch had arguably his best season in 2014. He rushed for the second-most yards of his career (1,306), averaged the second-most yards per carry (4.7) and had the second-most receptions (37).

• The Chargers signed Jacoby Jones, the receiver and kicker returner who was a major contributor to the Ravens' last Super Bowl championship but who was cut by Baltimore last week.

• The Lions agreed to terms on a new contract with kicker Matt Prater, who went 21 of 26 on field goals for Detroit

• The Jets retained middle linebacker David Harris, with the sides agreeing to a three-year, $21 million contract.

• The Panthers signed free agent offensive tackle Michael Oher to a two-year contract.