Matt Forte among players Bears would consider trading

With the Chicago Bears in rebuilding mode, rumors have begun to swirl about the team possibly trading star running back Matt Forte, if the right deal comes along. “Forte is completing a four-year, $30 million deal”.

The 8th year running back out of Tulane is 29 years old, and is now making $7.1 Million, but according to Ian Rapoport at NFL.com, Bears general manager Ryan Pace has said if you see something you like, ask. Forte will be a free agent at the end of the year, though, meaning any team that takes him on would receive a compensatory draft pick in 2017 if he walks. Those deals netted only a pair of sixth-round picks.

“For a running back, the 6’2” 218 pound Forte is on the back side of his career in the National Football League, but would be a nice addition to a young backfield that is now in Music City.

A few teams that were in contact with the Bears on other trades said that Forte was not offered to them during those discussions, and he is not being shopped around. NumberFire, a data analysis site, figured Forte would be a good fit for one of three teams-Broncos, Ravens or Jets.

The biggest hurdle in trading Forte besides the likely steep asking price is his contract.

Forte is in the final year of his contract.

According to Jeff Dickerson at ESPN, the Bears are hoping that Alshon Jeffery can return for Week 5, but his status remains up in the air. He’s a great versatile player, and is one of the best running backs in Chicago Bears history, but this team is now building for the future, and getting younger is the most sensible thing to do. Should the Tennessee Titans take a hard look at Matt Forte?

The Bears back up running back is rookie Jeremy Langford and he’s played sparingly behind Forte. His work ethic and production can’t be denied and it is unfortunate the Bears haven’t had a championship team around him. While Forte has only seen the endzone once, their offense doesn’t really put him in position to score as they have trouble moving the ball down the field.