When Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was asked earlier this month about the idea of adding size at receiver, he noted that the Seahawks top receivers are quicker, smaller players, and said, "we're always looking."
On Tuesday, the Seahawks added a big receiver with an impressive résumé, signing six-time Pro-Bowler Brandon Marshall, who at 6-foot-5, 232 pounds, gives the Seahawks a big-bodied pass catcher with a long history of success.
To make room on the 90-man roster, the Seahawks waived fullback Marcus Martin, who was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Slippery Rock earlier this month.
Marshall, 34, has eight 1,000-yard seasons in his 12-year NFL career, and has finished with double-digit touchdown totals four times, including in 2015 when he matched Doug Baldwin for the NFL lead with 14.
Marshall began his career with the Denver Broncos as a fourth-round pick out of UCF in 2006, and also played for the Dolphins, Bears, Jets and most recently the Giants, though his 2017 season ended after just five games because of an ankle injury. Prior to last season, Marshall had proven very durable, playing at least 13 games in every season of his career, and only missing four games between 2011 and 2016.
Seahawks fans likely remember Marshall from his 2016 game against Seattle when he had 4 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown in an entertaining battle with Richard Sherman, who ended up with two interceptions in a Seahawks victory over the Jets.
"I knew coming into this game that it'd be a dog fight with Brandon," Sherman said after that game. "He's going to end up in the Hall of Fame with a gold jacket because he's done it everywhere he's been. He did it in Miami, he's doing it in New York, he did it in Denver. He's just a great player and he's going to make his plays and I knew that coming in. That's how the matchups go."
Take a look back at photos of 12-year NFL veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall, a six-time Pro Bowler who signed with the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday.
New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) scores a touchdown in front of New England Patriots' Logan Ryan (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) in the first half of an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall (19) hauls in a pass against the defense of New England Patriots defensive back Sergio Brown (31) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans safety Chris Hope, right, tries to tackle Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Denver on Monday, Nov. 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) relaxes during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Dec. 2, 2007 in Oakland. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15), right, receives a touchdown pass against Cleveland Browns defensive back Ralph Brown (20) in the end zone during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) makes a catch during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008 in Denver. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) looks for running room after catching a pass during the NFL week 8 football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 31, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Dolphins won the game 22-14. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall runs for yardage after pulling in a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter of the Broncos' 24-17 victory in an NFL football game in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
FILE PHOTO In this Oct. 22, 2006 file photo, Denver Broncos' Brandon Marshall advances 13-yards on a pass from Broncos' Jake Plummer before being tackled by Cleveland Browns' Gary Baxter in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Cleveland. The Broncos won 17-7. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, file)
New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) warms up before playing against the New England Patriots in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) makes a catch and run during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday September 24, 2017 in Philadelphia. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014 in Detroit. The Lions won the game 34-17. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall (19) runs on the field in the first quarter during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Miami, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Han Deryk)
Miami Dolphins Brandon Marshall plays in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, FL on December 10, 2011. (AP PhotoTom DiPace)
Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) stiff arms Brandon Meriweather (31) in the first Quarter of the Denver Broncos against the New England Patriots in the NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, in Denver. The Broncos won 20-17 in overtime. (AP Photo/ Chris Schneider )
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) runs with the football during a week 13 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Chicago, Illinois on December 2, 2012. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 23-17 in overtime. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) runs with the football during a week 15 NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Chicago, Illinois on December 16, 2012. The Packers defeated the Bears 21-13. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a 4-yard touchdown pass during an NFL football game against Minnesota Vikings defensive back Josh Robinson (21) on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Chicago, Ill. The Bears won the game, 21-13. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
In this Dec. 15, 2013 file photo, Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) pushes Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) away after a catch in the second quarter of an NFL football game, in Cleveland.
New York Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall warms up before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) tackles Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during an NFL football game on Monday, December 9, 2013 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Cowboys, 45-28. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) makes a touchdown catch against New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) runs past Tennessee Titans' Michael Griffin (33) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Marshall also had a memorable game in a 2012 Seahawks victory over the Bears, a game that was something of a coming out party for Russell Wilson. Then a rookie, Wilson led a touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter to give Seattle a lead, but Seattle and Wilson needed another touchdown in overtime for the victory because Marshall helped the Bears force overtime with a 56-yard catch that set up a tying field goal late in regulation.
In addition to his impressive play on the field, Marshall has impressed Carroll off the field, most notably when in 2017 he spoke to owners and executives at the annual league meetings.
"He had an extraordinary impact in his presentation," Carroll said last spring. "I thought he was spot on. And he's just one of the many guys that have so much to offer our league and offer the culture and all. He spoke from a place that I thought was really a great opportunity for our owners to hear from. He's the first player to ever speak in an NFL meeting, and he made a great opening statement to what the other players have to offer. In particular, I really believe that the players are at the core of what our game is all about, and they always have been."
Marshall, who in 2011 was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, co-founded PROJECT 375, a non-profit that is dedicated to the education, support and treatment of mental health. Since its founding, PROJECT 375 has raised more than $1.6 million while also bringing awareness to mental health issues.
