Fast and Furious Forte
On the same day that the Bears sign Michael Bush to a 4yr, $14 million contract, with a reported $7 million guaranteed. The Pro-Bowl running back, and Mr. 70% of the offense, took to twitter and lashed out at Bears management. He tweeted.
“There’s only so many times a man that has done everything he’s been asked to do can be disrespected! Guess the GOOD GUYS do finish last…. for the record I’m not mad at the signing of another running back. This is 4th time that’s happened. I embrace competition as well as help … But as for not taking care of ur own and undervaluing a player under his market value is another story! Just Keeping it real…hate it or love it”
That sentiment was seconded by his former teammate Greg Olsen who tweeted. “If u have a studd 3 down guy like @MattForte22 why keep paying backups big $ every yr? Crazy!! Matt deserves better”.
I totally understand the feeling, in the past few years we’ve paid Marion Barber III, Chester Taylor and Kevin Jones very generous contracts that they never truly fulfilled. I also understand that running back is a brutal, and short lived position. However, when stud running backs come along you’d think it would be automatic for a deal to get done. Unfortunately, in recent years, big money running backs have shown to either under produce or physically break down. In my opinion Matt Forte is a long term running back. He isn’t a “power back” who initiates contact and takes alot of punishment. He’s shifty and knows how to avoid the brunt of the contact he absorbs. His injury last year was helmet-to-knee and due mostly to a missed block.
The only thing we don’t know is what Matt Forte has turned down in terms of contracts offered to him by the Bears. The questions that need to be asked are…Is Forte’s asking price too high or are the Bears just low-balling him? Is his production based on the Bears not having viable options on offense or is he the second coming of Marshall Faulk? And lastly. If given the contract he desires, will he continue to produce or will he find himself complacent and under-productive?
Whatever the case may be, it is still a slap in Forte’s face to sign yet another running back instead of working out a deal. He has been the sacrificial lamb in an organization and a system that has been pieced together with late-round picks and practice squad castaways. The old ways of hoping a 7th round pick turns into gold, or Frank Omiyale turns into the next James “Big Cat” Williams, are over. If the frugal McCaskey’s haven’t learned by now that “you get what you pay for”, then when Matt Forte signs with the Packers or Lions this off-season, they will know that all that money they’re trying to save can at least pay for them go to the Super Bowl. Sadly, it would be to watch either the Packers or Lions bring pride back to the Black and Blue division.
