Brandon Marshall was almost traded to the Patriots last offseason

How's this for a "what-if?" 

Former Chicago Bears wide receiver and current New York Jet Brandon Marshall told ESPN 1000 Friday that he was nearly traded to New England last offseason.

"I could have played for the Patriots last year," said Marshall in the radio interview. “There was an opportunity where there probably could have (been) a trade before the season." 

Marshall continued, saying that trade talks heated up between the Patriots and a handful of other teams before he ultimately inked a three-year, $30 million extension with the Bears last May.

The idea that Marshall could've been a Patriot would've been interesting to say the least, but as we saw, Tom Brady and Co. had no problems winning their fourth Lombardi with the group they had assembled. 

The 31-year-old Marshall was dealt to the Jets in March for a fifth-round pick.

Would you have liked to have seen the Patriots trade for Brandon Marshall last season?

[photo via www.hngn.com]