The New York Jets are one win away from making the playoffs this season, and one of the main reasons for that was the acquisition of Brandon Marshall.
With a need for help at the wide receiver position, the Jets pulled off a trade with the Chicago Bears for the talented Marshall. Marshall had a couple great seasons in Chicago, but a poor 2014 for his standards and the team overall led to a lot of changes. The decision to trade Marshall for virtually nothing was quickly regarded as an awful move, as he has been amazing for the Jets.
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As the Jets prepare for their biggest game of the season, Marshall gave some insight to what happened between him and the Bears’ organization last season.
“I just think that there is some truth to it, but it’s football,” Marshall said of the negative perception of him in Chicago to Darryl Slater of NJ.com. “The first two years in Chicago, the same [positive] stories were being written [as] now. Last year, we won four games here [with the Jets], so you guys understand how hard it is in this business in a losing locker room. That’s one of the reasons why we lost [last year in Chicago]. We didn’t come together as a team.
“So for me, definitely disappointed in the way things turned out there. The main reason is because when I left Miami [after the 2011 season], that’s all I focused on, was the type of person that I wanted to be on and off the field. I do know I’m very emotional and very competitive.
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“So to see that [improved reputation] kind of get ripped away from me, that hurt. I can care less about stats and the awards. I wanted my character to be rebuilt [in Chicago], and I did that. Then it was ripped away from me. So I’m still a little angry about that, but I’m just going to use that for motivation to keep going.
The motivation from Chicago has certainly helped Marshall this season, as he has totaled 101 receptions, 1,376 receiving yards, and 13 receiving touchdowns. The success of Marshall on the field has helped the Jets get wins, but they haven’t quite met his expectations.
“When I looked at our schedule, honestly, I thought we would win 12 games,” he said to Slater. “That was my goal, for us to win 12 games.”
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“I knew we had a great defense, and I thought if they came together in a new system, we would have a chance,” Marshall said of his preseason expectations to Slater. “I knew we had a great offensive line and running game. I didn’t have high expectations in our passing game. But I knew we had a winning formula with a great defense and a running offense. So it’s been a true gift for us to really put it together in the passing game, and try to make a complete offense.”
Another great performance from Marshall in Week 17 could propel the Jets into the playoffs, which is something that Marshall has yet to accomplish in his career.