Matt Forte Rumors: The Latest on the Chicago Bears Franchise Player
Published by Chris Trapasso on March 5, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears hit running back Matt Forte with the franchise tag on March 2nd, but that doesn’t mean the two sides won’t be working on a long-term deal over the next few months.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported the franchise tag news and provided an interesting quote from new general manager from Phil Emery regarding Forte’s future with the team:
Matt is an important part of our football team, and we chose to utilize the franchise tag to ensure he remains a Bear. We believe in Matt as a player and a person. Our intention is to continue to work to find common ground and keep Matt as a member of the Chicago Bears in 2012 and beyond.
While that entire statement doesn’t necessarily suggest they’ll be working on a long-term deal for the talented runner, the fact that Emery used the phrase “2012 and beyond” shows that the Bears front office isn’t against the idea of a long-term contract.
Forte will make $7.7 million next season if an extension cannot be agreed upon, but you’d have to that is a distinct possibility.
The Bears and Forte’s agent, Adisa Bakari, have until July 16th to come to terms on a new contract.
In Michael Wright of ESPNChicago’s article on Forte’s franchise tag, he cited a quote team president Ted Phillips made on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” stating that the team would like to sign Forte to a new deal.
Wright also discussed Forte’s opinion on matter in the same article:
Forte said he was amenable to the franchise designation if “they’re doing (it) to just get more time in order to negotiate a long-term deal. But if it’s just to hold me another year, that’s not going to solve anything.”
After a year-long dispute over his contract and with Forte clearly being the most important offensive player, expect a multiyear deal to be completed in the next few months.
It’d be a win-win for both sides.
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