"Matt Forte isn't sure whether he'll sign an extension with the Bears before the regular-season opener, but the starting running back knows nothing will affect his status for the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 11.

''I'm always going to play, man,'' Forte, who's entering the last year of his rookie contract, told the Sun-Times on Thursday. ''We're still negotiating, so we'll see what happens.''

Forte declined further comment, and his agent, Adisa Bakari, declined any comment.

But don't expect an extension unless the Bears raise the stakes.

They have extended an offer to Forte that includes $13 million to $14 million in guarantees, according to ESPN Chicago. A Bears spokesman declined to comment on the report but said the sides continue to work toward a deal.

The reported offer probably isn't going to get Forte to pick up a pen, let alone sign anything. Historically, running backs have been considered dispensable, largely devalued because of the physical demands of the position. But in a little more than a month, two running backs have signed lucrative deals. On July??29, DeAngelo Williams signed a five-year, $43 million deal with the Carolina Panthers that included $21 million in guarantees. Then, on Thursday, Chris Johnson signed a four-year, $53.5 million extension with the Tennessee Titans that includes $30 million in guarantees, a record for a running back. "