One of the major questions of the NFL offseason has been answered, as the Denver Broncos have traded the talented but troubled wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins.Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Marshall was traded for a second-round pick in next week's draft and what is thought to be another second-round pick in 2011.
Schefter also reported that Marshall received a four-year, $47 million contract extension from Miami -- on top of his one-year restricted free agent deal for 2010 -- with $24 million guaranteed.
For Miami, the trade represents the addition of a major playmaker on offense who's been one of the most productive wide receivers in football. For Denver, the trade represents getting rid of a major headache and picking up a couple of high draft picks.
Marshall spent much of last season clashing with Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, starting in training camp when Marshall was filmed by a reporter punting footballs during some drills and declining to participate in others. Denver suspended Marshall in the preseason for what McDaniels called "detrimental" conduct. McDaniels also benched Marshall for the team's final regular-season game after he showed up late to a physical therapy session.
In addition to all that, Marshall's had multiple run-ins with the law and was suspended by the NFL for three games in 2008 for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
The trade comes a day after Marshall signed his one-year tender to stay in Denver, a move that freed the Broncos to start shopping him around. They acted quickly after that.
