"Talks between the Chicago Bears and running back Matt Forte have escalated to the point where the team has extended a contract offer worth in the neighborhood of up to $15 million guaranteed, sources indicated to ESPNChicago.com.

Given recent statements by general manager Jerry Angelo, and the fact the regular season is less than two weeks away, it appears negotiations are likely coming to a close whether or not Forte agrees to the deal, in which the total value and length weren't disclosed.

The escalation of talks between the sides don't necessarily coincide with San Francisco running back Frank Gore's recently signing a three-year, $21 million extension, which included $13.5 million guaranteed. But the numbers certainly do. According to NFL sources, the Bears initially used the six-year contract worth $32 million ($10 million guaranteed) signed by Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles as the base line for a potential Forte deal."