Bears Blitz

Published by Aris Theotokatos on August 16, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Matt Forte and Chris Johnson came into the league undervalued in the 2008 draft, and now they’re both asking to be compensated for their surprise production—although Chris Johnson’s “asking” is more of a “demanding.” 

Johnson, who has posted elite rushing numbers—4,598 rushing yards in three seasons (more than Adrian Peterson put up in his first three years)—has decided to hold out until the Titans shake a little bit more money out of their piggy bank. 

While Matt Forte hasn’t posted the monster numbers that Johnson has, he’s been the most reliable offensive weapon on the Bears, rushing for 3,236 yards in his first three seasons and receiving another 1,495. 

In short: Chris Johnson is the Titan’s offense. Matt Forte is the Bear’s offense. 

What they want:

• Johnson – to be paid as an elite player, not just running back. 
• Forte – to be paid like he’s used – a lot.

So what’s taking so long? The Titans reportedly are willing to make Johnson the highest paid running back in the league, but he wants more (and he deserves more), and the Bears and Forte’s agents are working to find a realistic price tag. 

Typically, no team is breaking bank for running backs. Not like other positions where players aren’t as replaceable (like quarterback). The life-span of running backs in the NFL may be the shortest of any position. No one gets hit as hard as often, and by the time most backs reach 30, their production takes a toll along with their body. 

But at this point in their careers, age isn’t a concern. Neither team can afford to lose their star running back, so what’s the hold up?

This reminds me of that South Park episode when all the boys gave themselves different “powers” after purchasing real ninja weapons, and (trying to remedy the ninja star lodged in Butter’s eye) Cartman attempted to slide, step by step, across the stage of a town speech, naked, because he claimed the power of invincibility. 

The same way these two teams tried to sneak their ways through the rest of the rookie contracts. As if no one saw Chris Johnson sprint for over 2,000 yards in 2009 and Matt Forte compile over a third of the entire Bear’s offensive yards in his three-year tenure. (Perhaps the Bears got rid of Greg Olsen because they knew Forte creates the same matchup problems for the defense.) 

The hesitation shown by teams to sign franchise player-type checks, paying to the order of their running back, isn’t an illegitimate one. I’d be worried too. Chris Johnson has already said he’s holding out, and Forte is at camp but he seems undecided on his plans going forth. 

The Titans may not be a playoff team this year, but they aren’t even an attractive team for future free agents to consider if Chris Johnson isn’t taking the handoffs. And it’s not easy for the Bears to find another running back who does as much for them as Forte does. 

There are smart investments and then there are Dan Snyder investments. These are smart (and pretty obvious) investments. Give ’em their money.   

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