Chicago Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips discussed the team’s plans for RB Matt Forte on Tuesday by mentioning that they will not allow him to even reach free agency, via ESPN Chicago. “We’d like to (work out a long-term deal with Forte),†said Phillips while appearing on “The Waddle & Silvy Show†on ESPN 1000. “But as Phil pointed out we obviously will at least consider placing the franchise tag on him. We don’t have any intention of letting Matt hit the open market. We’ll sit down with him privately, Phil will, and discuss what the plans are prior to the Feb. 20 franchise tag date.†Forte was able to participate in last weekend’s Pro Bowl which is certainly a positive sign for his future status. Still, the two sides have been reported to be pretty far apart in previous discussions but that was with Jerry Angelo in place as the team’s GM. Phil Emery has since taken over so it’s safe to assume that they’re approach will be altered. Forte has previous said that he’d rather get a long-term deal done rather than play under the tag but from what the Bears front office are suggesting, it would only be a temporary move. Source: NFL Trade Rumors
I'd be very suprised if Forte inked a new deal before the 2012 season as well. I can see this heading into next offseason.
Before now, yeah I'd agree they hecked this up. But now that he's coming off a knee injury, although it wasn't a total freaking explosion, they'd be downright simple to give him a huge contract, and that's why they'll tag him. I usually support the players in these situations, especially when they're as professional and mature about it as Forte has been, but I can definitely see the organizational perspective in this one, and I have to say I'd lean toward doing the same thing myself.
He should have had a deal before that knee injury happened. That's exactly what the Bears were waiting for. They were running this dude into the ground and not paying him because they knew at the pace he was going they wouldn't have to. He'd get hurt or worn out before they would have to give him a new contract. That is a pathetic way to treat your best player.
Forte was offered $15 million guaranteed during training camp last year and he turned it down. Honestly, I think atleast $20 million guaranteed or somewhere in that ballpark would have done the trick. In the end though, I have a feeling things will work out. It's just going to take time.
