Bears Blitz

NFL Rumors: Holdout Would Blow Up in Matt Forte’s Face

Published by Brian Mazique on April 11, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Matt Forte has his share of supporters in his contract dilemma with the Chicago Bears, but a holdout would be ill-advised.

Forte has already skipped one of the Bears’ voluntary workouts. Is this just the first step in a Forte’ rebellion?

This per ESPN’s Michael Wright:

“The key date for Forte remains July 16, the NFL’s deadline for teams to sign franchise players to multi-year extensions. If a new deal isn’t done by then, Forte would have to play under the franchise designation or possibly sit out of regular-season games, which isn’t likely considering the financial ramifications of missed game checks.”

I agree it isn’t likely, but I don’t think its impossible either. This is about more than money for Forte. The franchise tender of $7.7 million is already a huge raise from what Forte earned in 2011.

Forte seems to be hung up on the market value, which of course leads to more cash, but is is also an acknowledgement that Forte is an elite back.

With backs like Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles receiving major deals from their teams, Forte feels slighted to have to go through this process.

That feeling of disrespect may be strong enough for him to stay away.

That said—Forte can’t win in a holdout.

It goes beyond the financial aspect of missed game checks.

Forte won’t be in true game shape, if and when he returns. No matter how much of a workout monster he has become, nothing simulates true competition.

Not being in game shape makes players more susceptible to injury. That would of course derail the longer contract Forte seeks.

There is also the mental aspect. Johnson, and even teammate Devin Hester, buckled under the pressure of long contract disputes. Both began to take their frustrations public, and when that happens, the player always ends up looking bad.

Forte already started down this road with his tweets after the Bears signed free-agent running back Michael Bush.

It would only get worse the longer this drags out.

Bush’s presence is another reason Forte can ill-afford a holdout. Bush is a solid player at one of the most interchangeable position in the game. He rushed for 977 yards and seven TDs on only 242 carries in 2011.

Though he isn’t quite as dynamic as Forte, he is more than serviceable.

And bottom line, the Bears can win with him as the featured back.

If by some stretch, Forte sits out the entire season, and Bush has a solid year. More specifically, one that sees him compile 1,200 yards rushing, 400 yards receiving and 10 total TDs.

Where does that leave Forte?

With a lot less leverage—that’s for sure.

The best thing Forte can do is to put his feelings aside—as hard as that can be—go out and play for the more than respectable franchise tag salary, stay healthy and make his decision after that.

Any other choice will cost him in the long run.