Earlier Monday we listed the franchise-tagged players most likely to receive a contract extension before Monday's 4 p.m. ET negotiation deadline. Matt Forte topped that list, and with good reason: the Bears running back agreed to a four-year deal, CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora confirms.
Sean Jenson of the Chicago Sun-Times reported the deal first. CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman confirms reports that the deal is worth approximately $8 million a year.
Earlier this offseason, we saw a number of contracts to big-name running backs. The Eagles gave LeSean McCoy a five-year deal worth a reported $45 million. Arian Foster also signed a five-year deal worth $43.5 million with the Texans this offseason. And Marshawn Lynch signed a four-year deal worth $31 million.
So, depending on how much guaranteed money Forte got, he may ultimately be slotted correctly in terms of the contract. He's worth more than Lynch (in my opinion) but clearly isn't as good as McCoy or Foster, regardless of how much of the Bears offense ran through him.
Additionally, Forte was operating from a standpoint that lacked serious leverage: he had been tendered by the Bears, he's got injury history (recent injury history no less), and Chicago inked Michael Bush this offseason in order to protect themselves from possibly missing Forte for any length of time.
The Bears are glad to make this deal, because they do put a lot of the offensive load on the legs of Forte. He is a great running back, minus the injury problem. Even with that they have a solid back up in case of a costly injury.
Until next time,
You keep doing what you do and I'll keep you up to date with everything sports.
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