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New York Jets to release wide receiver Brandon Marshall
Continuing their roster purge, the New York Jets intend to release wide receiver Brandon Marshall, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Thursday night.
Marshall's impending release was first reported by Newsday and confirmed by ESPN.
Later Thursday, Marshall posted a farewell message on his Instagram account, thanking the Jets organization as well as "the incredibly loyal Jets fans." He also wrote in part, "I'm looking forward to finding a great organization where I can contribute and bring home a championship."
The move comes only one year after he re-wrote the franchise record book for receiving. The two sides discussed the possibility of a return in 2017 -- a source close to Marshall told Schefter the team offered a contract extension with no pay cut -- but they eventually decided to part ways. The Jets made no attempt to trade him, knowing it was a long shot.
The Jets are in the midst of a youth movement and Marshall, who turns 33 on March 23, didn't fit their rebuilding plan.
The Jets saved $7.5 million by parting ways with Marshall, who was due to earn that much in the final year of his contract. Marshall said at the end of the season that he hoped to play several more years.
In 2015, Marshall was voted by the Jets as the team MVP, as he set the franchise record for catches (109) and receiving yards (1,502) in a season. From there, the well-traveled veteran suffered perhaps his worst season in 2016, managing only 59 catches, 788 yards and three touchdowns.
Undermined, in part, by poor quarterback play, his catch percentage (receptions/targets) was only 46.7 percent, 143rd among 144 qualifying players.
The Jets evidently felt Marshall was expendable because they have promising young talent at receiver, including Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson. But his departure leaves them without a proven No. 1 target.
The Jets acquired Marshall in 2015 from the Chicago Bears, costing them only a fifth-round pick. It was hailed as one of the best trades of the offseason, helping general manager Mike Maccagnan win NFL Executive of the Year. Marshall distanced himself from his reputation as a locker room cancer, but there were a couple of flare-ups last season. He and teammate Sheldon Richardson engaged in a heated argument following the Week 3 loss in Kansas City.
That incident became a turning point for the Jets, players said, as they lost their next three games to ruin the season. Revis said the Marshall-Richardson altercation, which created hard feelings between them, cast "a black cloud" over the team.
Marshall is one of the most prolific receivers in the game -- only 59 receptions shy of 1,000 -- but he has yet to reach the postseason in his 11-year career.
Marshall's impending release was first reported by Newsday and confirmed by ESPN.
Later Thursday, Marshall posted a farewell message on his Instagram account, thanking the Jets organization as well as "the incredibly loyal Jets fans." He also wrote in part, "I'm looking forward to finding a great organization where I can contribute and bring home a championship."
The move comes only one year after he re-wrote the franchise record book for receiving. The two sides discussed the possibility of a return in 2017 -- a source close to Marshall told Schefter the team offered a contract extension with no pay cut -- but they eventually decided to part ways. The Jets made no attempt to trade him, knowing it was a long shot.
The Jets are in the midst of a youth movement and Marshall, who turns 33 on March 23, didn't fit their rebuilding plan.
The Jets saved $7.5 million by parting ways with Marshall, who was due to earn that much in the final year of his contract. Marshall said at the end of the season that he hoped to play several more years.
In 2015, Marshall was voted by the Jets as the team MVP, as he set the franchise record for catches (109) and receiving yards (1,502) in a season. From there, the well-traveled veteran suffered perhaps his worst season in 2016, managing only 59 catches, 788 yards and three touchdowns.
Undermined, in part, by poor quarterback play, his catch percentage (receptions/targets) was only 46.7 percent, 143rd among 144 qualifying players.
The Jets evidently felt Marshall was expendable because they have promising young talent at receiver, including Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson. But his departure leaves them without a proven No. 1 target.
The Jets acquired Marshall in 2015 from the Chicago Bears, costing them only a fifth-round pick. It was hailed as one of the best trades of the offseason, helping general manager Mike Maccagnan win NFL Executive of the Year. Marshall distanced himself from his reputation as a locker room cancer, but there were a couple of flare-ups last season. He and teammate Sheldon Richardson engaged in a heated argument following the Week 3 loss in Kansas City.
That incident became a turning point for the Jets, players said, as they lost their next three games to ruin the season. Revis said the Marshall-Richardson altercation, which created hard feelings between them, cast "a black cloud" over the team.
Marshall is one of the most prolific receivers in the game -- only 59 receptions shy of 1,000 -- but he has yet to reach the postseason in his 11-year career.