The Seattle Seahawks have recently signed veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the team. Marshall, who turned 34 in late March, was released from the New York Giants after a season cut short by injury. There seems to be a lot of differing opinions among the fan base and the NFL media about the decision, and I’m here to throw in my two cents.
I love it. I love it both from an objective and biased fan perspective.
Looking at it realistically, this is a very low risk/potentially high reward move by the Seahawks. With his 6’4, 232 pound, frame he could potentially be the big target missing in Seattle’s passing game. Especially in the red zone with Jimmy Graham off to Green Bay. Simply put, the Seahawks are only going to be paying him roughly $1 million, and up to $2 million max if he meets certain incentives. If he can’t produce, he’ll be gone and it won’t cost Seattle that much. If he can, then Russell Wilson has a new weapon.
Marshall may come with some injury concerns these days, but if he has anything left in the tank he could become a solid addition. We’re talking about a guy who has had eight 1,000+ receiving seasons in his arguable Hall of Fame career. Eight seasons with guys like Jake Plummer, Jay Cutler, Chad Henne, Matt Moore, Josh McCown, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty and Geno Smith throwing him the football.
Yeah, you name the elite talent in that list. If Marshall can recapture at least some of his 2015 magic – a season where he had 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns – then the Seattle passing game may become harder to defend.
From the fan perspective, Brandon Marshall has always been one of my favorite receivers in the NFL. I always put him up there with Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Smith as someone I’ve always enjoyed watching play football. I have also deeply respected his advocacy for mental health, along with his courage to be open about his own mental health. Now I get a chance to see him in a Seahawks uniform.
Interestingly enough, Seattle seems to be the place where (future) Hall of Fame receivers go to end their career. Jerry Rice last played in the NFL as a Seahawk, as did Terrell Owens. Yes, that’s right, I firmly believe Brandon Marshall is a Hall of Fame caliber receiver.
Now that Jason Witten and (likely) Antonio Gates have retired, Marshall now ranks second among active players in receptions (959) and receiving touchdowns (82). Behind only Larry Fitzgerald, of course. Marshall also needs only 24 more catches to surpass Randy Moss on the all-time reception list.
