Matt Forte was told by Chicago Bears GM Jerry Angelo last week via a radio interview that the immediate priority was on the season ahead, not working out a contract extension. Angelo stated that any extension talks would have to wait until January at the earliest.
Forte seemed upset that this extension would be put on delay but would honor the final year of his rookie contract, which is worth approximately $600,000 this season.
Plenty of running backs have hit pay day this offseason. DeAngelo Williams, Chris Johnson and Frank Gore all received massive deals to stay with their original teams this offseason.
Now another running back, even closer to Forte’s proximity, has hit the jackpot.
The Minnesota Vikings unloaded a semi-truck filled with stacks of bills on Adrian Peterson. Peterson signed a seven-year, $100 million extension to keep him a Vikings for life, making him the wealthiest running back in the NFL in the process.
Peterson himself seems extremely grateful and optimistic for the next seven seasons with Minnesota. He said earlier Saturday morning on his Twitter account:
@AdrianPeterson: “Very excited! Thx to God, my family, the Vikings, the fans for support. Can’t wait to get a ring and finish my career in Minn.”
How this must feel for Forte to see the bar raised yet again knowing he has no hope of striking while the iron’s hot has to be disappointing and a minor slap in the face as well. Even though Forte said there were no hard feelings, deep down he has to feel some kind of insult.
"I’m disappointed, kind of frustrated that (an extension) didn’t get it done,” said Forte in an interview with the Chicago Tribune last week. “As a player, you’re taught that this league is based off of production. You expect for a team to notice that and to get paid based off your production.
"I was expecting to get paid just like some of the other backs who produced similar to me. That didn’t happen, so obviously I’ve got to continue to play under my regular contract.’’
On numerous occasions he also has said he hopes the lack of a new deal doesn’t affect how he plays in 2011. The more he thinks about it, the more it will be on his mind.
Bears fans certainly hope Forte can put this on the back burner. Time will tell what 2011 has in store for the first Bear to have 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in the same season since Walter Payton.
When Forte’s deal expires, other notable running backs on the market will include: Cedric Benson, Arian Foster, Ryan Grant, Peyton Hillis, Marshawn Lynch and Ray Rice.
Where will Forte’s deal land amongst his fellow to-be free agent brethren?
Brett Lyons is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand or from official interview materials.
Follow Brett Lyons on Twitter @BrettLyons670.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/843911-chicago-bears-matt-forte-watches-another-rb-deal-get-done
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