A mainstay of the Chicago Bears backfield for nearly a decade has moved elsewhere.
Multiple sources have indicated that running back Matt Forte has signed a contract with the New York Jets.
Matt Forte is signing with the NY Jets, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2016
Matt Forte Signs With New York Jets
Forte spent all eight of his previous NFL seasons in Chicago after being drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. In five of those seasons has the 30-year-old rushed for over 1,000 yards. He has been named to the Pro Bowl twice during his career in both 2011 and 2013.
That 2013 season remains his best to date. He finished with 1,339 yards rushing, good enough for second in the league that year behind LeSean McCoy’s 1,607. In doing so, he became the first running back in Bears history to gain 1,000 or more yards from scrimmage in his first six seasons with the team.
A year later in 2014, he showed his proficiency as a pass-catching running back, finishing with a career high 808 receiving yards. His 102 receptions was an NFL record for a running back in a single season.
Forte signed a four-year, $30.4 million extension with $13.8 million guaranteed back in 2012. This after the Bears initially slapped the franchise tag on him in off-season free agency that year. His contract expired after the conclusion of the 2015 season, one which was the least productive of his career. He finished with just 898 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Bears general manager Ryan Pace had indicated that the team had no intentions of re-signing Forte.
The Lake Charles, LA native played collegiately at Tulane. During his senior season, he rushed for 2,123 yards and 23 touchdowns while being named first team all-Conference USA and third team AP All-American. He was also named MVP of the 2008 Senior Bowl.
