Matt Forte has heard the rumors. He sees what is happening within the Chicago Bears organization. Two highly-touted players were recently traded and with one win on the season more could be coming. Forte knows his value to the team and to the league and with an expiring contract, he could easily be the next on the trade block. However, Frote is making it clear that he does not expect to be traded this season and is hopeful to retire with the Bears.
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport via NFL.com, the Bears would consider trading Forte at the right price. Sources say general manager Ryan Pace is trying to weather the storm and while the Bears did get a much-needed win against the Oakland Raiders, they still have a long ways to go. Trading Forte would likely give the team quality draft picks as the 29-year-old is set to earn $7.1 million in the final year of his deal. Rapoport wrote that the Bears are not actively shopping Forte, but teams should not be afraid to call.
Forte is making it clear he is staying put. As the team's workhorse running back, the Bears really cannot afford to lose him if they have any hope of salvaging the season. The running back told the media he does not foresee himself playing anywhere else in the short-term or long-term.
"I don't worry about those things," Forte said, via the Dan Patrick Show. "A lot of it is media speculation, just like in the offseason they were like 'the Bears could trade Matt.' Everybody was talking about me getting traded then and it didn't happen. Now after one guy gets traded, it all comes back again. I can't control that either. They can trade me if they want to. I don't think I'm going anywhere, but I can only control how I play on the football field and that's what I do."
Forte is playing on an expiring contract and so far the Bears have made no efforts to give him a new one. The Chicago Tribune reports that Alshon Jeffery's deal could take priority over the running back in the offseason which could lead Forte to test the market. If the running back becomes available, a team will offer him a lot of money considering his value which might mean he leaves Chicago. The Bears risk losing one of the best rushers for nothing in return.
Right now, Chicago is not going to make trades. There has been talk Jay Cutler could be headed elsewhere. The Jared Allen and Jon Baustic trades were certainly a surprise, but do not expect a fire sale to begin just yet. The Bears have the chance to improve quickly, but if they do not then other moves could be in the future.
