Could Matt Forte Be Next?
If you are being honest with yourself, this Chicago Bears team was garbage from the get-go. The team didn’t have the talent at key positions, and in others age wasn’t on their side.
Then after starting the season 0-3, and not being close in any of the contests, GM Ryan Pace has started unloading players from the roster. By dealing both Jared Allen and Jonathan Bostic today, the Bears have officially begun a fire sale on the lakefront.
This begs the question, who’s next?
Well the obvious, and not popular, choice is the Bears starting running back, Matt Forte.
Matt has been the focal point of the Bears offense since they drafted him, and was the only part of last Sunday’s game that was watchable. Forte’s 7,980 rushing yards and 452 receptions ranks second all-time on the Bears list, following only Walter Payton in each category.
Just why would you trade a guy who broke the running back receiving record and has seemingly been your entire offense in 2015?
DRAFT PICKS
The trades of both Allen and Bostic were solely to bring in additional draft picks in 2016, and that would be the case with Forte as well. Forte stands to be the lone player that could bring back a high value, even though he is in his contract year and could walk. Since Matt is upset that he hasn’t been approached about a new deal, his mind could already be set on free agency anyways.
“It’s just kind of discouraging as a player,” Forte was quoted earlier in the year. “You know, I’ve been here 7 years – going on 8 – and [I’ve] been producing at a constant level, year after year.”
“For them to not want to do an extension, which would obviously extend my career in this city, it’s just kind of discouraging because you feel like the guys that do that should be rewarded,” he continued. “It’s a production based industry, so if you produce you should be rewarded with that.”
Not that Forte isn’t a respected part of this Bears team, in fact that respect is what could allow Ryan Pace to replenish the team going forward with the picks they could receive in return. To top it off, many think the team had already drafted Forte’s replacement in Jeremy Langford.
Forte might not be the only player the team tries shopping before the Nov. 3rd deadline, ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson suggests they should explore their options with Alshon Jeffery as well. Both players are former Pro Bowl guys, and could fetch a ton in return, in fact Jeffery could fetch more since he’s just entering his prime.
Either route, this season will only get uglier from this point on. One thing is for sure, Bears fans don’t need a panic button, they need life preserves and lifeboats to make it through the 2015 Bears season.
