When the new league year begins on Mar. 9, Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte will be a free agent. The Bears informed the 30-year old running back that they would not be re-signing him. Forte trails only Hall of Famer Walter Payton on the Bears all-time lists for rushing yards (8,602), yards from scrimmage (12,718), receptions (487) and 100-yard games (24). The versatile back ranks third in Bears history in total touchdowns (64) and sixth in receiving yards (4,116).
Forte played in just 13 games in 2015, but he still managed to rack up 898 rushing yards on 218 attempts and 44 catches for 389 yards while scoring seven total touchdowns. The eight-year vet has spent his entire NFL career in Chicago, but in 2016 he will be in another uniform. The question is, which team will Forte be suiting up for in 2016? Below are three teams, in no particular order, that I believe are the front runners for Forte’s services in 2016.
MATT FORTE POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Forte signing with the New England Patriots appears to be a popular notion. This match could make sense because Patriots quarterback Tom Brady loves backs who can catch the ball out of the backfield (i.e. Kevin Faulk), and Forte has proven he can certainly do that. Throughout his career the eight-year veteran has also shown he is pretty darn good at blocking. The Tulane product’s skill set would fit in really well with the Patriots.
That being said, the talented running back will turn 31 years-old in Dec. this year, and history has shown us that running backs by-and-large tend to hit a wall when it comes to production at age 30. This means that the New England front office should avoid inking Forte to a long-terms deal. But if the dual-threat running back wants to sign a one-year deal with the Patriots, knowing he is almost guaranteed a trip back to the playoffs in 2016 (a la Darrelle Revis in 2014), the Patriots should jump on that.
DALLAS COWBOYS
The Dallas Cowboys let the league rushing leader in 2014 (DeMarco Murray) walk at the end of that season instead of re-signing him. Murray signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, and both he and the Cowboys are probably wishing Murray was still in Dallas. Dallas ranked ninth in rushing last season, averaging 118.1 yards per game, which is good, until you factor in their offensive line. Big D had one of the better offensive lines last season and their ground game should have been much more potent. The Cowboys simply do not have a truly good running back on their roster and they need to add one.
The Cowboys adding a versatile back like Forte would make sense. Owner Jerry Jones certainly doesn’t mind spending money, and the addition of Forte would help take some of the pressure off of quarterback Tony Romo as well. Dallas needs a better rushing attack to complement Romo (if he can stay healthy) throwing to wide receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Baltimore Ravens finished the 2015 season with an abysmal record of 5-11. But John Harbaugh’s team should be much more competitive in 2016. The Ravens need to shore up some positions, including running back, though, in order to make that happen. In 2015 Baltimore finished the season ranked 26th in rushing, averaging 92.4 yards per game.
The Ravens have the sixth pick in this year’s NFL Draft, and quarterback Joe Flacco will be healthy going into the 2016 season so both of those things work to Baltimore’s favor. But the Ravens might need some help at running back with Justin Forsett, who is also 30-years old, getting the bulk of the carries last season before he broke his arm in Week 11 in a game against the St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams.
Also keep in mind that Forte was very productive in Chicago with Marc Trestman, who is now the Ravens offensive coordinator. There would be a level of comfort with Forte and Trestman working together again, and the talented back learning the playbook would not be an issue at all.
It will be interesting to see if a team signs Forte to a multi-year deal, given that he is 30, but he could definitely help a team in a big way in 2016.
Also, be sure to check some possible landing spots for Brock Osweiler.
