Matt Forte has been the workhorse running back for the Chicago Bears since his arrival and that is likely to change this season. However, the veteran is entering the final year of his contract with no negotiations in sight which is putting the running back's future into question. While the Bears have remained committed to Forte, they are not reflecting that in terms of money and now Forte is left to answer questions about what next year holds.
Forte returns as one of the critical pieces to the Bears offense. However, his contract says he might not be around for much longer with the franchise. Forte admitted earlier this offseason that he would prefer a contract now instead of later from the Bears, but Chicago is making no moves to assist him in that effort. According to the running back, all he can do is go out and play football, hoping the rest will work itself out.
"Nobody wants to play on a one-year deal, especially the uncertainty of how football is with how it goes," Forte said, per ESPN. "You just figure like a guy who's been there since Day 1, continues to put in hard work and has produced, you figure that that guy should be rewarded. But in this business that doesn't always happen. All I can do is talk to them about it and they can say yes or no. They said we're not talking about that type of stuff right now, so all I can do is play football. I've come to the realization that every run or catch that I may have might be my last in a Bears uniform, so if they don't want to re-sign me, I'll have to play somewhere else."
Forte has shown no signs of slowing down so Chicago would be wise to lock him back in for the future. At 29, Forte's age might be working against him, but his stats certainly prove that he should be sticking around. The Bears have yet to really build up the run game to withstand the exit of Forte. Right now, Ka'Deem Carey and Jacquizz Rodgers are their best options.
The Bears might not be built to withstand the exit of Forte, but they are going to be ready to life without Kevin White which is becoming a reality. The Bears drafted the wide receiver in the first round to replace Brandon Marshall and now his season is in doubt following surgery on a shin injury. With a return timetable unknown, the Bears feel confident in the amount of time Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson have gotten on the field. Both players are predicted to be breakout stars for Chicago.
"It gives other guys opportunities," head coach John Fox said, via ESPN.com. "We'll have a next-man up approach whether it's here, in the season, or in the postseason. You keep 53 men on the roster and you keep them for a reason, because you think they can play. It's an opportunity for guys to step up. We'll always look to improve our roster. That will not change. We'll see who steps up."
