Bye Week Stars: Brandon Marshall

With no game last weekend, we have the time and space to think about who was a star in the Bears first six games. On offense, there's no question whose star was shining the brightest: wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

When the Bears traded for him in March, the hope was Marshall could be the No. 1 receiver the team has been searching for since Marty Booker. (Seriously. Marty Booker.) Marshall had the connection with Cutler from Denver and the skill to be a star for the Bears. So far? He's done exactly what the Bears hoped for.

Statistically, he's contributed to the Bears offense better than any receiver in the Cutler Era. He's among the league's top 10 in receiving yardage with 496 yards on 35 catches. Half of his games in a Bears uniform have resulted in more than 100 yards.

But it's not just his play that has made a difference. It's how he has immediately become a leader for the Bears. It's how his teammates gush about his play and how he draws double teams to free up other offensive weapons. It's how he pushes his teammates.

Marshall has been a gamechanger for Chicago, and it will be fun to see how he follows up his strong start in the next 10 games.