Seahawks release Brandon Marshall to clear roster space, but not for trade
The Seahawks cut wide receiver Brandon Marshall today. The move likely saves no money, so it’s all about the roster spot.
It can’t surprise too many people that the Seahawks released wide receiver Brandon Marshall today. He started out fairly well for Seattle, with three catches and a touchdown in the season opener. But after being targeted six times in each of the first three games, Marshall had just nine catches for 120 yards and that lone touchdown. A 50 percent catch rate didn’t help his cause, and the return of Doug Baldwin to the lineup in week four cut into his snaps as well.
Marshall didn’t help himself in that game against the Cardinals by catching just one of his three targets. He had moved from a key contributor to an afterthought in the course of four games. Marshall continued to fall down the receiver depth chart, and was only on the field for two snaps versus the Lions.
The biggest factor to Marshall’s descent, other than his own inconsistency, was the emergence of seventh round wunderkind David Moore. You may have heard of the kid from East Central University in Oklahoma, even if Pete Carroll couldn’t remember Moore’s school. We’ve been singing his praises since the preseason. Certainly, we weren’t the only ones who had big expectations for Moore.
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We were – or to be clear, I was – one of the few who did have fairly big expectations of Brandon Marshall. No, I didn’t think he’d turn in a Pro Bowl season; I’m optimistic, not insane. But I did think the upside for Marshall was about 50 catches and five touchdowns. After the first two games, those numbers looked well within reach. Not bad for a guy playing for the veteran minimum.
Unfortunately, Marshall couldn’t sustain that production. Happily for the Seahawks, David Moore surpassed it. Along with the number one and two receivers, Baldwin and Tyler Lockett, Seattle’s in good shape at the position. With the emergence of Moore, Marshall became expendable.
Reports are that as a veteran, Marshall’s contract will likely be paid in full. So why bother releasing him at all? After all, the Seahawks didn’t make any last minute trade – barring a *really* last moment announcement. If not for a late announcement, the likely reason for the open roster spot is to bring back J.D. McKissic. The third down specialist came into the league as a wide receiver, after all.
As for Marshall, I hope he catches on with a new team. By all reports, he was an excellent teammate in Seattle. All the baggage that he used to carry was long gone. He’s become a measured, articulate spokesperson for mental health. He was nothing but a class act, and we wish him the absolute best.