Pats, Marshall have ‘mutual interest’
Former Jets receiver has never been to playoffs, says it’s about winning at this stage in his career
Newsday INDIANAPOLIS—Could Brandon Marshall and Bill Belichick join forces this offseason?
According to The Boston Globe, there’s “mutual interest” between the former Jets receiver and the Jets’ biggest rival, the
New England
Patriots.
Marshall’s twoyear stint with the
Jets ended this past week when they granted his request to be released, a source told Newsday on
Thursday night.
But it didn’t take long for him to find a potential suitor.
Marshall publicly had expressed a desire to return to the Jets in 2017, he also made it known that reaching the postseason is paramount.
“I’ll probably play until I’m 38, 39,” the
11-year veteran, who has never made the playoffs with any of his four teams, said after the Jets’ final 2016 game. “I made that decision this year . ... I love this game . ... It’s not about the money anymore. It’s all about winning.
“I’ll play for free. My bills are paid,” added Marshall, who set the Jets’ single-season records for catches (109), yards (1,502) and touchdowns (14) in 2015. “I’m tired of watching the playoffs on my couch. It’s been a frustrating year. It’s been a frustrating career.”
It’s easy to see why the Patriots would be an attractive option for Marshall, who will turn 33 on March 23. The defending Super Bowl champions not only are coached by one of the greatest football minds in the game in Belichick but are led by a future Hall of Famer in quarterback Tom Brady. If Marshall were to be signed by the Patriots, he’d have a much better chance of earning a ring, let alone making the playoffs.
The Jets, meanwhile, are in the midst of a total roster overhaul. With Marshall no longer a member of the team, Eric Decker stands alone as a star wide receiver. But for how long?
General manager Mike Maccagnan purposely was vague about Decker’s future with the Jets and whether he’ll be ready for the regular season. He is coming off surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder and a torn labrum in his hip.
“Eric is making good progress,” Maccagnan said Thursday. “... It’s the shoulder which is the part I think he’s still about a few months away. I know he can run straight ahead right now.”