Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte has been among the most consistently good players in the NFL over the past several seasons. The 29-year-old veteran is also coming off a 2014 campaign that saw him post 1,846 total yards and 10 scores.
Despite this previous success, Forte enters the 2015 season in a contract year. There doesn’t seem to be much happening on the contract extension front, which is an indication that Chicago may very well be willing to play out the year and assess the situation. While Forte did report to OTAs this week and isn’t planning a holdout, he doesn’t seem to be too happy about how he’s being treated by the organization:
“Nobody wants to play on a one-year deal, especially with the uncertainty of how football is,” Forte said, via CBS Chicago. “You just figure, a guy who’s been there since day one, has put in hard work and continues to produce, that guy should be rewarded. But it’s a business, and that doesn’t always happen.”
Forte isn’t necessarily wrong here. He’s been the one constant for a mediocre organization since entering the NFL in 2008. During that span, Forte has tallied 11,431 total yards and 57 touchdowns. However, he knows full well what’s happening here. At 29 years old and with nearly 2,300 total touches under his belt, Forte isn’t necessarily in situation to create much leverage.
That’s why he just plans on doing what he can do to help the team on the field.
“All I can do is play football. I’ve come to the realization that any run or catch I have could be my last in a Bears uniform. If they don’t want to re-sign me, I’ll have to play football somewhere else.”
Forte is set to earn a base salary of just over $7 million this season—the final year of his contract. If he puts up another stellar season, there should be a market for his services. If so, there’s a possibility the Bears will just let him walk. At this point, Forte seems to be resigned to that possibility.
Photo: USA Today Sports