As loquacious as Brandon Marshall tends to be, there are topics he considers off-limits.
The former Bears receiver will reprise his weekly role as an analyst on Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” this season. But during an exclusive interview with RedEye during the recent media day for the NFL on CBS, the current N.Y. Jet politely declined to offer his thoughts on the 2015 Bears.
Marshall, who in 2012 set Bears records for receptions (118) and receiving yards (1,508), did have plenty to say about the 2014 team, however.
Last season had high expectations but produced only a 5-11 record. Consequently, fingers were pointed. Marshall, who flew between Chicago and New York to do the show every week, was one of many targets. He said he anticipated the criticism.
“I never thought the commute was the problem,” he said. “If I’m really being picky, the only con was it being the first time a player has ever done it. There was going to be a lot of critics if the season didn’t go well, and the worst thing that could have happened, happened.”
Marshall said he doesn’t regret doing the show, describing it as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” He was the first active player in NFL history to serve in a dual capacity as a national commentator.
“Because it’s a national show, that’s never been done before; so when I got the opportunity, I had to jump on it,” he said.
“[Had the Bears finished] 12-4 [and I had gone on to] catch 80 balls [for] 1,000 yards, things I’ve been doing the past eight, nine years, it wouldn’t have been a problem.
“It became a problem obviously when you lose because there’s high expectations on every team in the NFL every single year, and there were high expectations for us and we underperformed.”
Marshall caught 61 passes for 721 yards last season, his lowest totals in those categories since his rookie season of 2006. Last year’s campaign also ended his streak of seven straight seasons with at least 80 catches and 1,000 yards receiving.
The new season of “Inside the NFL” premieres Tuesday. Although Marshall has the same national platform, he doesn’t have to go nearly as far to utilize it.
“Now it’s a local show; it’s no different than some of the guys in other markets where they ride into the city and they spend an hour or two talking ball,” he said.
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He also believes that what he’s doing provides tremendous value for the viewer.
“I think my seat gives a player’s perspective, inside the locker room, and that’s never been done before,” he said. “You have retired players who are analysts [who] talk about the game outside the locker room, and for me to still be active, giving a player’s perspective as is, I think that’s really intriguing and very entertaining.
“So I try to live in that seat, and there are boundaries. I would never jeopardize my team or be a distraction to my team, and I think the guys that I work with respect that.”
True to his word, he stopped short of throwing his ex-teammates under the bus.
“So, no, I won’t talk about the Bears right now,” he said.
Marshall then proceeded to end the interview, albeit in a cordial manner. When asked if he’s currently “cool” with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, the conversation ceased without a response.
Paul M. Banks is a RedEye contributor. @paulmbanks
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