Report: Chicago Bears trying to shop WR Brandon Marshall

The Chicago Bears are reportedly trying to trade wide receiver Brandon Marshall, according to Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs.

The Bears are "exploring trade options" for Marshall less than a week before the start of free agency, and they would clear about $4 million off the books if they're successful moving him.

But coaches from the Bears' former staff, most of whom were let go after last season's disaster, have told Shutdown Corner this offseason that Marshall was a toxic element in the team's locker room last season, that he often refused to take direction from former head coach Marc Trestman and that his Tuesday ritual of flying to New York during the season to tape "Inside the NFL" show irked some members of the organization.

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Marshall also made his famous "I'd have buyer's remorse, too" comment on Chicago radio when asked about the contract of quarterback Jay Cutler, which didn't play well over at Halas Hall, even if there was some truth to what Marshall said.

With a new staff, led by head coach John Fox, and a new general manager, Ryan Pace, the Bears likely don't want Marshall creating that kind of environment. He's on his third team now, having been jettisoned by the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins previously before landing in Chicago via trade.

The Bears would need help at receiver, with only Alshon Jeffery considered a difference maker at the position, if Marshall is elsewhere next season. Shedding Marshall would up the Bears' salary cap space to nearly $31 million.

Both Pace and Fox played it close to the vest when asked about Marshall's future with the team at the NFL scouting combine a few weeks ago.

“We met with him like a lot of individual players and that's going to be a slow process and we look forward to evaluating that,” Pace said. “Sometimes these reputations outside the building, you get inside and it's not what you expected and I think we need to make our own decisions and our own judgements and that's the process we're going through right now.”

New Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who coached Marshall for a year in Denver, has his wide receivers coach and might have some valuable insight to what Marshall can add to — or subtract from — a team. It appears that his answer might have led the Bears into this trade exploration.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm