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Matt Forte News & Rumors

Bears RB Matt Forte eager to meet GM Phil Emery, wants 'to remain in Chicago'
February 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Refreshed and inspired after his first trip to the Pro Bowl, Bears running back Matt Forte shined in the media spotlight days before Super Bowl XLVI, just blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium. He appeared on three-time Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew's Sirius NFL Radio show, and he exchanged pleasantries with four-time All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. "Man, I'm campaigning for you," Fitzgerald told Forte. In 2011, with a base salary of $550,000, Forte was among the most underpaid players in the NFL, a point reinforced by Vizio naming him a finalist for its annual "Top Value Performer" award."
Matt Forte decision looms for Bears
January 31
ESPN.com
 
"New Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery has plenty of issues to address as he gets to work at Halas Hall. With three weeks to decide whether to apply the franchise tag on Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte, Emery's boss said Tuesday that the Bears won't let the Pro Bowl running back reach free agency. "We'd like to (work out a long-term deal with Forte)," Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "But as Phil pointed out we obviously will at least consider placing the franchise tag on him. We don't have any intention of letting Matt hit the open market. We'll sit down with him privately, Phil will, and discuss what the plans are prior to the"
Forte back on field but no factor in NFC's loss in Pro Bowl
January 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"A lot has happened since Matt Forte last played. The Bears' crash without quarterback Jay Cutler was made worse with the running back sidelined for four games with a sprained MCL in his right knee. A once-promising season unraveled and the biggest fallout was the firing of general manager Jerry Angelo on Jan. 3. Eight weeks after he was injured Dec. 4 in the first quarter against the Chiefs, Forte played Sunday night in the Pro Bowl. Fears he would reinjure his right knee were allayed, and the team's medical staff would not have cleared him for the all-star game if he wasn't healthy. In a pass-happy affair, Forte didn't get a lot of work with just three touches."
Matt Forte medically cleared
January 19
ESPN.com
 
"Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte has been cleared to participate in the upcoming Pro Bowl after his injured knee checked out OK during a team administered physical, the club announced on Thursday. Forte missed the final four games of the regular season after he suffered a sprained right medial collateral ligament during the Bears' home loss to Kansas City on Dec. 4. The tailback finished the year with 1,487 yards from scrimmage, good enough numbers to earn Forte his first-ever spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster."
A perfect offseason for Forte would include long-term deal
January 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"As Matt Forte stuffed belongings into a plastic bag at his Halas Hall locker Monday morning, it was with the knowledge he'll be back. Not all of his teammates could leave with the same security. The question for Forte, who will be an unrestricted free agent, is if he gets a long-term contract or general manager Jerry Angelo places the franchise tag on him. There isn't an Option C. The Bears broke off talks with Forte before the regular season and despite sporadic communication with agent Adisa Bakari, the sides never approached common ground during the year. The Bears seem to be in a position where they will be unlikely to raise their offer, while he says his value is enhanced after his"
It's official: Cutler and Forte shut down
December 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte were placed on injured reserve Tuesday, officially ending their seasons. Cutler, who had thumb surgery Nov. 25 in Vail, Colo., was scheduled to get his pins removed Tuesday. Forte continues to rehab his right knee after spraining his medial collateral ligament during a Dec. 4 loss to the Chiefs. Cutler and Forte became the fourth and fifth offensive starters placed on IR, joining Johnny Knox, Gabe Carimi and Chris Williams. Carimi had another knee procedure Tuesday, a surgery the Bears called a success. In total, the Bears have shut down 10 players with Marion Barber (calf) hobbled, too."
Matt Forte aiming for 100 percent
December 18
ESPN.com
 
"Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte wants to come back to help his team this season, but he knows he is probably still several weeks away from seeing the field. "Day to day, I just see how it feels," Forte told ESPNChicago.com on Saturday afternoon during a physical therapy session at his home. "It's always really stiff in the morning because I've been asleep. It hurts in the morning, but once I get warmed up, I just try to see how it feels. I've been doing some straight-ahead jogging this week which has been OK, but I'm nowhere near 100 percent. So it's not looking good for next week, I know that.""
Forte misses practice, but not ruled out for Seahawks game
December 15
Chicago Tribune
 
"Coach Lovie Smith said Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte continues to make improvement with the sprained MCL in his right knee, but he did not practice Wednesday at Halas Hall and the team won't consider using him in a game situation until he can test his injury. "When you are coming off an injury like that, I think it's safe to say we would like to see him on the practice field first, but he is making a lot of progress," Smith said. "I will say that." Earlier in the day, Smith told Seattle media he would not rule Forte out for Sunday's game. Forte received a platelet-rich plasma injection in the knee to speed up the healing process. He also has been using a hyperbaric chamber at the"
Bears will miss Forte on many levels
December 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bears are fortunate they have some depth at running back, but Sunday in Denver they may realize just how valuable Matt Forte is to their offense and their team philosophy. With Forte injured, the Bears will be missing several things. Among them: •The potential for multiple breakaways. Forte has had 21 runs of 20 yards or more over the last two seasons. Neither Marion Barber nor Kahlil Bell is such a danger. "Without Forte, you take away the threat of a big run" an NFC team executive said. "But with eight or nine in box as much as they have seen lately, those runs aren't there very often anyway.""
Forte doing all he can to heal quickly
December 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"A player the Bears discarded could help his former team get an injured star back on the field sooner. Chargers defensive tackle Tommie Harris had no problem giving his "little brother'' Matt Forte access to his Gurnee home to use a $20,000 hyperbaric chamber stored in the basement. The unit, which aids in healing by enhancing oxygen levels to injured body parts, might help Forte expedite the recovery process after he suffered a Grade 2 sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Forte told ESPNChicago.com this week that he planned to reach out to Harris about using the hyperbaric chamber. Harris said Forte was at his house Wednesday evening and apparently has used it"
Matt Forte won't let contract affect return from injury
December 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bears running back Matt Forte refused to provide a timetable for his return from a second-degree tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, but he also insisted that he isn't going to milk the injury to punish the team because of his contract situation. "I think people just assume what they would do and ask if I would do that," Forte told the Sun-Times on Tuesday at a promotional event at the PINK store at Water Tower Place. "I'm not saying I'm holding out, but I'm also not saying I'm going to try to go out there tomorrow and try to run. "I can't really rush anything. I'm going to wait until everything is healed up before I get back out there.""
Matt Forte uncertain when he will return
December 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Matt Forte would not offer a timetable Tuesday night for his return to the playing field. The Bears running back also said he has no regrets about not accepting the Bears' best contract extension offer early in the season despite suffering a sprained right knee ligament Sunday that could put him out for the season. "I feel all right. I have good range of motion," Forte said during a promotional appearance at Water Tower Place. "I'm here, standing up and walking around, so obviously that's good. MCLs usually don't take a whole lot of time to get back. But it does vary from two to as long as six weeks. I don't want to make any predictions because I really don't know. I got a (platelet rich"
Bears lose game to Chiefs, Matt Forte to knee injury
December 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bears won't soon forget the name of the Kansas City Chiefs ­quarterback. On the final play of the first half, Tyler Palko — whose first name a couple of Bears defenders couldn't recall early last week — appeared to throw his seventh interception in three starts. But Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and rookie safety Chris Conte batted the ball down into the arms of 5-8 Chiefs running back Dexter McCluster for a touchdown."
RB Forte sprains MCL in right knee
December 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"As Matt Forte hobbled out of Soldier Field on Sunday alongside his wife, Danielle, his face remained expressionless. It was hard to gauge how much pain the running back felt in his sprained right knee, but the Bears are certain to ache if their top offensive weapon is out for a significant amount of time, particularly with quarterback Jay Cutler already sidelined after thumb surgery. "It's not a good feeling when you see your star tailback go down with a knee injury, but it's part of the game," coach Lovie Smith said. "We'll just keep our fingers crossed, and hopefully it's not that serious.""
Matt Forte believed to have an MCL sprain
December 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bears running back Matt Forte is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee, according to a league source. Forte, though, will require further testing for he and the Bears to have a full handle on the severity of his knee injury. He suffered the injury in the first quarter, when Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson drilled him in the right knee. He was tended to on the field, and he walked off under his own power, with a slight limp."
Forte trying to keep his balance
December 1
ESPN.com
 
"Matt Forte needs to keep his eye on the ball. Not literally, of course. The Chicago Bears running back only has two fumbles this season and, since joining the league in 2008, is second among all NFL running backs in receiving yards (1,985). No, Forte, who has been justifiably put out this season that he and the Bears failed to come to an agreement on a new contract, has been out of his normal rhythm on the field the last three weeks (gaining 64, 57 and 59 yards, respectively) and needs to guard against losing his equilibrium off the field as well. Last week against the Raiders, Forte had only 12 carries and averaged 4.9 yards per attempt. But take away his 33-yard run in a first-quarter"
2012 franchise tag figures will be down across the board
November 27
NFL.com
 
"While little was made of it at the time, the change in calculating procedures for franchise tags could have major implications on several negotiations this offseason, including those with Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Bears running back Matt Forte. The current collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association includes a new formula for the franchise tag, and league sources have said franchise tags will be considerably lower this season as part of the new CBA. League sources have provided figures that will be extremely close to what those salary totals look like, by position, when teams being placing those tags on players in February. In the past a"
Forte takes care of himself, and Bears
November 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"It is the time of year when NFL players start to get beat up and worn down. Especially running backs, and especially, you would think, the one who leads the NFL in touches from scrimmage with 208. The bad news for the Chargers is Matt Forte is running like it's early August, not late November. "Lately I feel I've gotten stronger, maybe because some of the defensive players on other teams have gotten worn down," he said. "It's a game of longevity. The longer you can play at your highest ability, the better off you'll be." Forte knows a thing or two about surviving an NFL season. He has started every game of his career and his 57-game streak is the longest at his position."
Forte amassing big numbers while Bears paying little money
November 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"He questioned the Bears' loyalty. He scoffed at their refusal to label him an elite running back. He seethed over their plans to use the franchise tag next season. Initially, Matt Forte protested his contract situation quietly as he opted not to hold out of training camp and exhibitions. Forte's stance changed dramatically when he became more vocal with his frustration, up until last week's two-fumble outing in Philadelphia. It makes you wonder if Forte hurts his contract status every time he speaks. "No, I don't think so,'' he said, "because when I didn't say anything, nothing got done. If I say something now and a deal doesn't get done, it's the same thing.''"
GM hopes to get Matt Forte deal done
November 11
ESPN.com
 
"Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo expressed excitement about signing center Roberto Garza to a two-year extension, and indicated the team could consummate more deals to bring back its own players by the end of the season. In an interview with the team's website, the general manager also reiterated his desire to re-sign running back Matt Forte. "We always have our lines in the water, so to speak, talking about extensions or re-signing our players," Angelo said. "That's always ongoing. Hopefully, we'll have something to announce at some point. When I say we always have lines in the water, I can't tell you exactly when we're going to be able to initiate meaningful conversations. In"
Bears survive Forte fumbles for 3rd straight win
November 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Sloppy performances and poor communication plagued the Bears in their two previous road games. They struggled to get out of their own way in losses in New Orleans and Detroit, setbacks that put them in a hole during the first half of the season. But the improvements since then — and the benefit of a week off — showed Monday at raucous Lincoln Financial Field on a gorgeous evening for football. Facing the high-powered Eagles offense led by Michael Vick, a player they've corralled in the past, the 8-point underdog Bears made enough plays to pull out a 30-24 victory, improving to 5-3 and keeping them in the thick of the NFC playoff race."
Bennett, not Forte, difference-maker for Bears
November 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Fifty days had passed since Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett played in a game, but, admit it Chicago, it felt like longer. Let's just say Bennett was gone long enough not to wonder why Jay Cutler doesn't smile more. Nobody missed Bennett more than the Bears quarterback, as Monday night's thrilling 30-24 victory over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field confirmed. "It was awful,'' Bennett said of the time missed with a serious chest injury. "I'm a competitor and I wanted to help my team win and wasn't able to. I was frustrated for a minute, but thank God I'm back now.'' And a football city says, "Amen.""
Tale of the tape: Matt Forte vs. LeSean McCoy
November 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bears running back Matt Forte is fifth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (96.0, 672 total) and first among running backs in yards from scrimmage (1,091). He's on a pace for 1,536 rushing yards — which would be the most by a Bear since Walter Payton in 1985 (1,551) — and a franchise-record 2,494 yards from scrimmage. He's been called the MVP of the team, the best running back in the NFL, even the best player in the NFL, by teammate Brian Urlacher after the victory over the Buccaneers in London. But Forte might not be the best running back on the field Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. Or the most underrated or underpaid running back, either."
Matt Forte feels unappreciated without a long-term deal
November 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Running back Matt Forte, who is on pace to break team records, isn't feeling the love from the Bears. And he's starting to wonder if his durability is being taken for granted. ''The running back position is the most physically demanding on the field,'' Forte said Tuesday. ''Everyone acknowledges that. So to continue to give me the touches I've had since my rookie year but not award me a long-term contract sends the message that you're OK grinding me into a pulp.'' Forte hasn't missed a game since being taken in the second round of the 2008 draft, playing through an assortment of injuries, particularly in 2009. But he rebounded in 2010 and leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage this season"
Forte more likely to get franchise tag than multiyear deal
October 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"With more than $18 million in salary cap room remaining, the Bears have dealt with constant attention on what will happen with Matt Forte. He is in the final year of his contract and a good chunk of that cap space was reserved to extend the running back's contract. He is nearly halfway through the best season of his career, on pace for 1,536 yards rushing and 2,494 from scrimmage."
Forte playing dangerous game
October 28
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"Of all the raised eyebrows Thursday in Chicago over the Bears' sudden release of Chris Harris, those arched the highest should belong to Matt Forte. It should remind Forte how the window for success in the Not-For-Long league can be smaller than the one on your smart phone. Forgive me for not joining the Occupy Halas Hall movement to protest Forte's relatively meager $600,000 salary. Don't misunderstand. Forte leads NFL running backs in yards from scrimmage and integrity per pound. He typically represents the Bears in an exemplary fashion and proved his professionalism by showing up for this contract year stronger than ever inside and out."
Numbers, Jay Cutler say Matt Forte is best running back
October 27
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Is there a better running back in the NFL than red-hot Matt Forte? ''Nah, it's not even close,'' quarterback Jay Cutler said Wednesday. ''What he can do [on] first, second and third down in the passing game and the running game, inside and outside — if we lose him, we've got a lot of issues.'' With 672 yards on 124 carries (5.4 average, two touchdowns), Forte is third in the NFL in rushing behind the Vikings' Adrian Peterson (712 yards, 4.9, eight TDs) and the Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew (677 yards, 4.6, two TDs). Forte leads the NFL with nine rushes of 20 yards or more (the Bills' Fred Jackson and the Raiders' Darren McFadden have eight). Forte leads all NFL non-quarterbacks in total"
Bears' Forte continues to pile up yards, bargaining power
October 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"Around Chicago, you need not know a salary cap from a chapeau to have heard that Bears running back Matt Forte is making a mere $600,000 this season. By now we nearly have grown weary of hearing Forte referred to as the most underpaid player in the NFL. After Forte rushed for 145 yards on 25 carries in the Bears' 24-18 victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday at Wembley Stadium, Brian Urlacher livened up the discussion."
Forte glad other teams interested in him
October 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"At least two teams have had internal discussions about trading for running back Matt Forte, the Tribune has learned, as the Bears continue to slide their feet regarding a contract extension. The Bears haven't expressed any intention of dealing their franchise back, but it hasn't stopped the other teams from exploring the possibility of acquiring Forte. The interest in Forte is not expected to facilitate any last-minute surprises before the trade deadline Tuesday. "I'm glad teams are interested," Forte said following Sunday's victory over the Vikings. "For me to be out here working as hard as I do and not have a contract extension, you kind of get that feeling of being unappreciated. I just"
NFL running backs big risk for long-term deals
October 16
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Pompei
"The Vikings signed running back Adrian Peterson to a lucrative long-term contract extension earlier this year. The Bears have not signed running back Matt Forte to one even though his deal is set to expire. It is possible the Bears will choose to place the franchise tag on him. That way, it likely would cost the Bears a little less than $8 million for 2012, and they could reevaluate yearly. It is an approach many teams would prefer to take with running backs because they often are not sound investments. It is not uncommon for a running back's production to drop off significantly during his second contract."
Angelo: 'Nothing new' in Forte contract talks
October 13
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"One reason the Bears and running back Matt Forte were unable to find the ''middle ground'' in contract negotiations is that both sides had such a long way to get there. Just before the regular season, the Bears' best offer to Forte was believed to be worth about $6 million per year, with $13 to $14 million guaranteed. It's unclear how much Forte wanted, but Bears general manager Jerry Angelo noted in several instances during the preseason that Forte was not an unrestricted free agent. In the NFL, a deal that averages about $6 million a season gets a running back closer to good than great. Consider that Steven Jackson and DeAngelo Williams get an average of $8.6 million on their latest"
Well, at least Cutler and Forte played well
October 12
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Pompei
"As bad as the pressure on Jay Cutler was Monday night, it could have been a lot worse. Cutler minimized it. In fact, the tape shows he may have done more to slow down the Lions' pass rush than any of his blockers. Cutler does not always respond to pressure well, but he used his senses to feel the rush coming, and he used his feet repeatedly to avoid it. In some cases, he used the extra time he created to make big plays."
Is Forte the best bargain in NFL?
October 7
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Pompei
"Signing Matt Forte has proven more difficult than tackling him. Forte's value has been as a moving target, shifting left, cutting right and then spinning away. That's why, with five months remaining until his contract expires, he remains unsigned and there has been no recent movement. If the Bears judged Forte solely on what he was before this season, they probably would have considered him a good running back, but not an "elite" back."
Forte key for Bears against Lions
October 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Last month Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said it can take five weeks to discover the identity of an offense. Here we are in Week 5 with the Bears (2-2) facing a critically important NFC North game, the most significant division game the Lions (4-0) have played in a long time, maybe since they moved to Ford Field in 2002. A win and the Bears pull within a game of their rival and don't lose any ground to the Packers (4-0), who play at Atlanta on Sunday night. A loss and the Bears would be three games behind at least one division foe, a big deficit to handle even early in the season."
Bears go back to their Forte -- running
October 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"These being the super-secretive Bears, it's hard to know whether offensive coordinator Mike Martz had an epiphany about the running game last week or whether the epiphany was thrust upon him. What we do know is that Matt Forte rushed for a career-high 205 yards Sunday against the Panthers. We also know the Bears won 34-29. Forte had 25 carries, and you couldn't help but wonder if the pass-happy Martz called those plays through gritted teeth. Forte's teammates were so excited for him that they deserve an agent's percentage. "You got to put some change in his pocket,'' Bears cornerback D.J. Moore said of the running back's quest for a big contract."
Matt Forte's price going up after strong games
September 21
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bears general manager Jerry Angelo has had better days than Sunday in New Orleans. His first-round pick went out with a knee injury. With Olin Kreutz on the other sideline, his quarterback was sacked six times. And the only bright spot in a 30-13 loss to the Saints is going to cost him: Matt Forte's price keeps going up. You can't blame Angelo for wanting to see more from Forte this season before signing him to a long-term contract extension. But even after two games, it's pretty clear: When the Bears' offense is good, Forte is good; when the Bears' offense is bad, Forte is still good. What more do you need to see? Not only is Forte second in the NFL among non-quarterbacks in total yards"
Matt Forte is offensive bright spot for Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints
September 19
New Orleans Times-Picayune
 
"During a four-year career at Tulane, Matt Forté didn't play before crowds such as Sunday's announced total of 73,019 during his home games at the Superdome. Once, when the Green Wave played host to LSU in 2007, there were 58,769 in the building to watch the Tigers win 34-9, a game in which Forté rushed for 74 yards on 16 carries, adding 21 yards on one catch. On Sunday, this time wearing the colors of the Chicago Bears, Forté, the Slidell High School alum, provided the bulk of the Bears' offense in a 30-13 loss to the Saints, accounting for 166 of Chicago's 246 total yards, sending about 20 family members in attendance home satisfied with Forte's effort but disappointed in the game's"
Homecoming for Bears' Forte
September 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"Matt Forte didn't grow up wanting to play for the Saints. He attended only a handful of NFL games at the Louisiana Superdome, located 30 miles southwest of his hometown of Slidell, La. Regardless, Sunday's Bears-Saints game will have a little added meaning for the Bears running back as he plays in front of close to 30 family members and friends. "I know that they're always watching on TV anyway,'' Forte said. "That's where I played my college ball. It will be just like going back home, except I'm on the sideline.''"
Matt Forte begins one-sided contract negotiations with 158 total yards of offense
September 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"To Matt Forte, it's not a matter of proving his value to the Bears. ''If they don't know that by now, I don't know what else I gotta do,'' Forte said. Disappointed more than frustrated or angry that the Bears broke off negotiations on a new contract last week, Forte vowed to go about his business and do the only negotiating he really knows anything about — making plays, scoring touchdowns and contributing to victories. By that standard, the fourth-year running back has to feel he closed the gap that separates the two sides with an impressive performance in the Bears' 30-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Soldier Field. Forte contributed 158 total yards — 68 yards rushing on"
Forte gives Bears their money's worth
September 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"He ran well, blocked crisply, caught passes, scored a touchdown. Matt Forte gave the Bears their money's worth again Sunday during the 30-12 trouncing of the Falcons. Forte deftly provided a snapshot reminder to the organization that he may be worth every penny he is seeking in a restructured contract. "If they don't know that by now, I don't know what else I got to do," said Forte after he caught a team-high five passes for 90 yards and rushed 16 times for 68 yards. "I mean, it was a great game. Offense played well, defense played their butts off. It was fun out there.""
Kahlil Bell will back up Matt Forte in Bears opener
September 10
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Running back Kahlil Bell, who started his NFL career with a bang in 2009 but spent last season on the bench, will get a long-awaited opportunity in the Bears' season opener Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field. With Marion Barber ruled out because of a calf injury he suffered Aug. 27 against the Tennessee Titans, Bell will back up starter Matt Forte. Bell had a 72-yard gain on his first NFL carry against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 and gained 220 yards on 40 carries in seven games. But he was inactive for all 18 games last season. ''I'm ready and excited,'' Bell said. ''I feel I'm an every-down back in the NFL. I can do anything they ask me to do. If they need me to"
No extension, no regrets for Bears' Matt Forte
September 8
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The disappointment is palpable. Bears running back Matt Forte will make $600,000, the league minimum for a veteran with his experience, this season. The frustration is understandable. Forte hasn't missed an NFL game, and he clearly has outperformed his initial four-year, $3.7 million contract. But Forte isn't going to change his approach with the regular-season opener coming up Sunday at Soldier Field. "No regrets,'' Forte said. ''I handled it like I always do. I'm a professional. This is the National Football League, and that's what I was going to do. Be professional about it, which is come to camp, work hard every day, play in the preseason and get ready for the season. That's what I've"
Forte reluctantly resigned to playing out deal
September 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Matt Forte has been running hard to prove people wrong since he joined the Bears in 2008 as a second-round draft pick. Now he's three days away from starting the season intent on proving general manager Jerry Angelo wrong as contract negotiations have reached an apparent dead end. Angelo said July 31 his "intent" was to sign Forte to a long-term extension before the season, but discussions with agent Adisa Bakari were not fruitful and Angelo announced Monday that talks have been tabled to shift the focus to the season ahead — beginning Sunday with the opener against the Falcons. He suggested the Bears will revisit the situation after the season, when they can dangle what could be a pricey"
Bears GM appears to leave open contract talks with Matt Forte
September 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"On Monday, six days before the season opener, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo tabled contract talks with running back Matt Forte and linebacker Lance Briggs until after the 2011 season. Angelo, clearly determined to address two potential distractions, told WBBM-AM (780) that the club's focus is on the season, not the contract status of the two veterans. Wisely, though, Angelo hedged more in commenting about Forte than Briggs. "We feel very, very confident that Lance's focus is going to be on the season and having a great year, and we'll just take care of our business when that time comes, and that will be at the end of the year," Angelo said about Briggs."
Forte contract talks on hold
September 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"Barring something unforeseen, contract talks with Matt Forte are off until the end of the season, according to Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo. Angelo told WBBM-AM 780 on Monday night that the focus is on the season ahead for the running back, who is entering the final year of his deal. As far as Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs, who has been on a contract push since the lockout ended, Angelo said that was also a matter for the offseason. After the dust settled five days into training camp and the Bears finished bringing in more than 50 new players, Angelo said his "intent" was to work on a long-term contract extension for Forte, who has been the most consistent part of the"
Bears' Matt Forte unlikely to bite without better offer
September 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"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"
Bears make offer to Matt Forte?
September 1
ESPN.com
 
"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"
Forte appreciates Briggs speaking up for him
August 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bears running back Matt Forte appreciates teammate Lance Briggs speaking out on his behalf. Although Briggs obviously wants to take care of himself as he lobbies for a pay raise, the linebacker also thinks Forte should get an extension. "That shows a lot of respect,'' Forte said. "I respect him as well.'' The front office views Forte's extension as more of a priority than Briggs' request, but Forte still stands at a base salary of $600,000 in this, the final year of his rookie contract. Does Forte believe he will get a deal done before the regular season starts Sept. 11? "I hope so,'' Forte said. "I hope eliminates all the distractions going into the season. I'm looking forward to getting"
Matt Forte is good, but he's not worth a huge payday
August 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"I think we can all agree that Matt Forte's 42-yard catch against the Giants was the one and only highlight of his preseason so far. If we can't agree on that — if you believe his four rushes for seven yards are a small package of grace and beauty — then I'm guessing you still pine for the Curtis Enis era. Don't worry: Forte is not Enis. He's not Rashaan Salaam nor Cedric Benson nor most of the running backs who have tried to fill Walter Payton's white-taped shoes. But what is he? That's the question in front of the Bears as they try to decide how to pay a guy who believes he should be in line for a huge payday. Let's start with what Forte isn't: He's not an elite running back. He's not"