Post#7 » by clancyphile » Tue May 20, 2014 11:50 am
I like the extension - a lot. That said, Marshall's going to do well if only because other teams cannot ignore Alshon Jeffrey and Matt Forte.
The deal Matt Forte has goes through 2015, so losing Forte is not an immediate worry. That's eight seasons with Da Bears total, which is pretty long for a RB. However, Forte just posted a career high in rushing yards, receptions, and receiving yards. I am disinclined to let him walk, particularly for nothing in return. I may overvalue Bears players, but Forte, I think, is worth a first-round pick at least.
Jeffrey's deal goes through 2016, per Sportrac. So... I think an extension is a priority for a little down the road.
Even though it's not an immediate concern, I'd consider getting Forte and Jeffrey signed to extensions a high priority. I don't want to see them walk the way that McCown did.
The Marshall extension is a good move, but again, I have to wonder if the big contract Cutler got isn't going to hamper the team down the road. He's averaging $17.5 million. Was he worth that figure? I am not sure, I'd have pegged him at about $13.5M per year, especially given his injuries the last two seasons. Probably enough to keep McCown in the fold.