A mere five minutes after NFL free agency began in earnest, the Miami Dolphins completed the first blockbuster deal of the year, sending WR Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears in exchange for two third round draft picks.

The Dolphins originally acquired Marshall for two second round draft picks, so this move has left many analysts scratching their heads. The Dolphins are trading a Pro Bowl caliber wide receiver and receiving a middling return, but why? The answer might lie in the money.

Marshall’s cap # for last 3 years of deal: 11.35 M (12), 11.15 M (13), 11.15 M (14)

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 13, 2012

Marshall does not come cheap, and the Dolphins had only $12 million in free cap space coming into today. Considering they have made it clear that they intend to pursue one the top free agent quarterbacks — not to mention that they are losing multiple players on their roster to free agency — the Dolphins needed to clear some more cap space in order to allow them to accomplish their off-season goals.

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