Bears reportedly shopping Brandon Marshall

New Bears GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox declined to comment on Brandon Marshall's future in Chicago at last month's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

And now it appears that the new regime has made their decision on Marshall.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are exploring trade options for the veteran wide receiver. However, a trade can't be finalized until Tuesday, March 10 at 3 p.m.

If Marshall is still on the Bears roster on March 12, his $7.5 million base salary for the 2015 season is guaranteed.

[MORE BEARS: Bears looking at WR Brian Hartline as Brandon Marshall 'deadline' looms]

After eight-straight 1000-yard receiving seasons, Marshall had the second-lowest output of his career in a drama-filled 2014 season. In 13 games, he hauled in 61 receptions for 721 yards and eight touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury with a collapsed lung against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.

It wasn't just Marshall's on-the-field performance that was at the forefront of his disappointing season.

Marshall drew criticism for joining Showtime's 'Inside the NFL' as a weekly guest, challenged a Detroit Lions fan to a fight on Twitter, got into a shouting-match with kicker Robbie Gould in the locker room and held a bizarre press conference centered around
past issues with domestic violence.

[SHOP: Gear up Bears fans!]

All of this coming less than a year after Marshall signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Bears.

If the Bears were to trade Marshall, it would create $3.95 million in cap savings in 2015, according to Biggs.

Moving on from Marshall would create a massive hole at wide receiver. Alshon Jeffery would likely slide into the No. 1 role and the team would look into bringing in a No. 2 via free agency, trade or the upcoming NFL Draft.

-- Scott Krinch, CSNChicago.com