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2016 NFL Free Agency Profile: Matt Forte

By Erik Lambert

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Running backs are always fascinating to watch, either in the draft or free agency because their demand fluctuates so wildly from one year to the next.  Matt Forte could be about to learn that as he faces 2016 NFL free agency.

  • Age:  29
  • 1,038 yards rushing
  • 102 catches (record)
  • 808 yards receiving
  • 10 total touchdowns
  • 2x Pro Bowler

The Chicago Bears have gotten far more out of Forte since 2008 than they probably ever dreamed.  Can anybody really imagine he’d become second all-time on the franchise rushing list and seventh on the all-time receiving list?  That is an accomplishment few running backs not named Walter Payton have ever sniffed.  Not too bad for a 2nd round pick out of Tulane.

The hard point over the coming seasons will be deciding what his value to the team still is, not what it has been.  Forte turns 30-years old in December, an age that scares coaches to death when it comes to the running back position because it is typically the time when there is a steep regression in terms of production.

To his credit, Forte has kept himself in phenomenal shape for years.  Also there is the fact he has only carried the ball more than 300 times in a season once in his career.  So his body hasn’t taken the traditional pounding as evidence by only missing five games in seven seasons.  Then there is the versatility.  Few backs in the league can run, catch and block like he can.  It stands to reason the veteran should garner plenty of interest on the market even at his age.

The just leaves the Bears.  Smart bets say they’d like to keep him, but the new regime under GM Ryan Pace has made clear they won’t overpay for anybody.  So if Matt Forte forces the issue, it may not work out.

Likeliest Outcome:  Hits the open market

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