ESPN’s Chris Mortensen Believes Chicago Bears Will Get Deal Done with Matt Forte
Published by Jake Perper on July 12, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears can ink a long-term deal with running back Matt Forte until Monday.
If no deal is reached, Forte will earn $7.7 million under the franchise tag.
Obviously that’s a good chunk of cash, but Forte is looking for a commitment from the team that selected him in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft.
Forte ran for 997 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games last season, while adding 490 yards and one touchdown through the air.
He could become the first Bears running back to be selected to two straight Pro Bowl’s since Neal Anderson after being voted in this past season.
The Chicago Sun-Times says the Bears “could offer him guaranteed money in the $14 million range.” Forte wants in the area of $20 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s John Clayton (h/t Evan Silva of PFT).
I don’t blame him for looking for a commitment from the Bears, but he will be making almost $8 million next season. I think that’s enough money for one season of work.
The situation could turn into a distraction if he doesn’t report to training camp.
Forte and the Bears faithful are very displeased. The last thing the Bears want is a distraction to hold them back heading into a very important 2012 campaign.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen took to Twitter to weigh in on the hot topic in the NFL world.
A Chicago sports fan asked Mortensen if he thinks the Bears will get a deal done with Forte before Monday’s deadline.
Mortensen’s response: “I think they do.”
Mortensen could be completely guessing on the deal, or maybe he has a legitimate source. No one really knows.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the deal is highly unlikely.
I suspect Forte ends up sitting out a good chunk of camp, if not all of it, before eventually signing the franchise tender.
So, with time running out for a deal to get done, the less likely it will actually happen.
Will a deal get done before Monday’s deadline?
Thoughts?
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com
