"The signing of Marion Barber is far from the assurance Matt Forte referred to when he addressed securing a contract extension.

Forte reported to training camp Friday knowing a holdout would have an adverse effect on his quest to secure a new deal. Then, when Forte first faced the media at camp, he did so with every indication the organization would take care of him in time.

"I kind of got my mind put to ease by (general manager Jerry Angelo). He had been in talks with my agent since the end of the lockout and even before that, and he kind of said that a deal would get done,'' Forte said. "He assured us repeatedly that a deal would get done.

"Where I'm from and how I was raised, when somebody gives you their word that goes a long way."

But you can bet the possibility of bringing in another well-known running back was never a part of those discussions.

No doubt Forte had a puzzled look on his face when he heard the Bears agreed to terms with Barber, the ex-Cowboys who compiled 4,358 yards and 47 touchdowns in six seasons with Dallas. Barber received a two-year deal worth $5 million, a deal that likely included a signing bonus between $1-2 million. In other words, Forte likely just became the third-highest paid running back on the team.

But he has nothing to worry about because a lucrative deal still appears imminent."