The Chicago Bears are determining the best moves to make in order to take the franchise in a positive direction. With John Fox taking over the team and Adam Gase coaching the offensive unit, major trades are being speculated with some of their biggest names. The Bears are expected to address defense in free agency and could potentially shake up the offense with a few roster moves. Outside of Jay Cutler, is Matt Forte at risk of getting dealt?
Forte will be 30 years old come December and has yet to show any signs of slowing down. The issue is not his production when it comes to a potential trade of the running back, it is his contract. Forte is preparing to enter the final year of his $30.8 million, four-year contract inked back in 2012. After roster bonuses and base salaries are tallied up, Forte is a $9.2 million cap hit. That is the third highest amongst running backs behind Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy. While Forte continues to be a workhorse for Chicago, can they use that money elsewhere on the roster?
The Chicago Bears are being linked to several big names in free agency. In need of defensive help, the Chicago Sun Times believes the Bears could chase players like Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston in free agency to help with major defensive holes on the roster. That means salary cap cuts are in Chicago's future. Brandon Marshall believes he is at risk of getting cut along with anyone else that failed to have a strong 2014 season.
"I don't think anybody would be (comfortable) sitting in the gray, but this is the National Football League," Marshall said, via the Chicago Tribune. "This is our business. It's not a unique situation. It happens every single year. Like I said in the middle of the season, some players think that when you lose, oh, the coach is going to be gone. No, they move players, too. I get that and understand that."
Cutler is not getting traded unless a miracle takes place. The quarterback's contract is simply too big for any team to take on. The chances Marshall is sent packing is also slim. Injuries hurt his 2014 numbers, but the tandem he forms with Alshon Jeffery is still quality. Forte could be on the outside looking in. The Bears are likely not going to give him some big contract extension considering his age and that could force unwanted drama next year. Most teams operate under the idea that younger running backs are easy to get, but getting the same numbers that Forte puts up will be difficult.
