The NFL trade deadline is coming up and Matt Forte is expected to be a trade target this year and teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans could be interest. Both teams are dealing with injures at running back with Arian Foster and Joseph Randle banged up and this comes as Vernon Davis and Jared Cook also are deadline targets.
The Chicago Bears reportedly are willing to trade Forte this season, according to CBS Sports, but Jason La Canfora reports that the price for Forte is very high. La Canfora writes that sources said the team is "not averse" to making a deal with Forte after already trading Jon Bostic and Jared Allen this season, but that the Bears will not part with Forte for less than a second or third round pick. With a price tag that high a deal looks unlikely right now, but with some time left until the deadline, things could change.
The Bears have been struggling this season and after losing last week to the Lions, the team may consider making moves at the deadline. Forte fits the bill as a trade target this year, as he is in the last year of his contract on a team that has been playing poorly and he fits a need for a number of other teams. Forte also will be 30 when next season starts and if the Bears are not going to sign him back to a new contract, they may want to get some value out of him now while they still can. Forte is about to finish a four-year, $30 million deal and he is one of the most productive running backs in the NFL.
The Cowboys are dealing with some injuries at running back and they could be a fit for a Forte deal, but right now there is nothing going on regarding interest in the RB. The Cowboys have Joseph Randle dealing with an oblique injury and according to Rand Getlin at NFL.com, Randle could miss some time with the injury. Randle had a similar injury in training camp and now Darren McFadden likely will start. McFadden had over 140 yards rushing against the Giants and he gives the team a solid option if Randle is out.
The Houston Texans have Arian Foster out for the season with an Achilles injury and the team could consider making a move to add some depth. The Texans are not likely going to trade for anyone at this point since they have been struggling this season and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media writes that the team may not add a free agent. The team has Alfred Blue, Chris Polk and Jonathan Grimes as options on the roster with Foster out.
La Canfora has also reported on some other names that could be available at the trade deadline and the tight end position is one area to watch out for. According to CBS Sports, the tight end market has some "heat" heading into the deadline and teams have reportedly book looking at Vernon Davis and Jared Cook as targets with the 49ers and the Rams. Both teams have struggled this season and with Davis into the final year of his deal, he could be a target, while La Canfora writes that the Rams have been getting interest in Cook. Cook has been somewhat disappointing after signing a big free agent deal with the team.
Check here for more on Forte, Davis, Cook, the injury to Foster and more on the Cowboys.