Jets To Release Brandon Marshall

The Jets intend to release wide receiver Brandon Marshall, reports Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday (Twitter link). Marshall is now in line to become the seventh veteran the Jets have moved on from since late last month. The rebuilding club previously cut ties with cornerback Darrelle Revis, center Nick Mangold, offensive tackles Ryan Clady and Breno Giacomini, kicker Nick Folk and linebacker Erin Henderson.

Brandon Marshall (Vertical)

As was the case with the other six vets, the fact that the Jets are moving on from Marshall isn’t particularly surprising. However, the Jets would have preferred to keep him, it seems, as a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter) that they offered Marshall an extension. But Marshall requested his release, tweets Martin, and his exit will save Gang Green $7.5MM in 2017.

Marshall is just two years removed from a 109-catch, 1,502-yard, 14-touchdown 2015, but his numbers declined significantly last season as a member of an anemic passing attack. All told, Marshall hauled in 59 grabs on 128 targets, posted only the third sub-1,000-yard season of his career (788), and only totaled three TDs. But he did once again exhibit durability, appearing in at least 15 games for the ninth time, and notch a yards-per-catch average (13.4) better than his career total (12.8).

Now set to hit the open market, the 32-year-old Marshall should become one of the most sought-after pass catchers available, joining fellow wideouts like Alshon Jeffery, Kenny Stills and Terrelle Pryor, among others. Marshall is more established than any of them, having combined for a whopping 941 receptions, 12,061 yards and 82 touchdowns across 11 seasons with the Broncos, Bears, Dolphins and Jets. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder hasn’t yet played with an elite quarterback, making his lifetime output all the more impressive, but that could change if he hooks on with a contender in free agency. He’ll also look to snap the league’s longest active playoff drought for an individual (167 games) with his next employer.

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