Brandon Marshall traded to Miami Dolphins

Well, if the Santonio Holmes(notes) trade was the Jets' version of the first shot fired across the bow, the Miami Dolphins have responded with a nuclear strike. Early Wednesday morning, it was announced by several different NFL insiders that the Denver Broncos had traded disgruntled receiver Brandon Marshall(notes) to the Dolphins for a second-round picks in 2010 and 2011. Marshall, unhappy with his contract, finally signed his first-round restricted free agent tender Tuesday, which made the trade possible.

Marshall and the Dolphins reached agreement Wednesday on a four-year, $47.5 million contract extension that includes $24 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN. That would make him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history.

The Dolphins have (had?) the 43rd overall pick this year. The Seattle Seahawks, who had been most interested in Marshall and had hosted the receiver on a recent visit, traded their 40th overall position in the second round for Chargers third-stringer Charlie Whitehurst(notes) in March, and thus may have been aced out of the deal with the acquisition of a guy who has never thrown a regular-season NFL pass. Hope that works out for you, Seahawks!