Photos
Instead, the Denver Broncos traded the restricted free agent to the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday for a second round pick this year, the 43rd overall pick in this month’s draft, and a second-round pick in 2011.
Marshall is expected to sign a reported, four-year, $47.5 million extension with Miami, $24 million of which is guaranteed money. Including the $2.5 million tender Marshall signed with Denver to facilitate the trade, Marshall’s deal is worth $49.5 million, so he got what he desired all along – to be the highest paid receiver in the league.
The Seahawks were unwilling to make that commitment, both in terms of salary and draft picks. Seattle has nine picks in the draft, and would like a couple more to add to the dearth of talent currently on the roster. The Seahawks, who do not have a third-round pick in this year’s draft, were unwilling to give up one of the team’s two first-round picks for Marshall.
And with Seattle likely years from competing for a playoff spot, the Seahawks appeared hesitant to give Marshall the kind of money he wanted because of his off-the-field, character issues
Seattle hosted Marshall for a visit at the team’s Renton facility on the first weekend of free agency in March, flying him to the Seahawks’ headquarters by seaplane. Marshall was interested in going to Seattle because former Denver coaches Jeremy Bates, Seattle’s offensive coordinator; and Seahawks quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch provided some familiarity, and Marshall would not have had to learn a new system.
However, Miami’s pursuit of Marshall came as a surprise because head coach Tony Sparano had said he did not believe Marshall was a good fit for his team.
But Bill Parcells, Miami’s head of football operations, has final say on all personnel decisions, and in the past has not shied away from dealing with high-maintenance playmakers, including Keyshawn Johnson with the Jets and Terrell Owens in Dallas.
News of the trade traveled quickly at Seahawks headquarters. Players watched the news while working out Wednesday morning.
“I think just like anybody who is an NFL fan you really watch the stuff that happens around the league,” said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. “And that’s no different. He’s probably the premier wide receiver in the game right now. And it was big news. And we’re fans in that regard.”
Seahawks offensive tackle Sean Locklear said Marshall would have been a good fit for Seattle, but also understands his asking price was high.
“He’s a great player,” Locklear said. “Would I love to have him? Of course. But I know the business side, and I just thought it was too far extreme for the kind of asking price he was going to ask for, and I didn’t know if we had that type of money to offer him.”
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437
eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
