With recent talk about the failing negotiations between Matt Forte and the Chicago Bears reaching a zenith it seemed it was time for MSV to chime in on the subject. Does Matt Forte deserve an extension?
First, why does Forte deserve a contract? How has her earned it?
Matt Forte has been an offensive force with the Chicago Bears since cracking the starting lineup in 2008. In the 3 seasons prior to the start of the 2011 he has eclipsed 1000 rushing yards in 2 of the 3. The one in which he failed was in 2009, when he only ran for 929. Close enough for me to call it a thousand yard season. And he did so at an even rate of 4 yards per carry. This is a very non-pedestrian yards-per-carry percentage. In addition to being a solid producer when running the ball, Forte has also proven to be a force when Chicago goes to the air. In all 3 seasons prior to the 2011 season Forte has been at the top or near the top of the team in receptions. He has yet to fail to haul in 50 receptions and has compiled at least 470 yards receiving in each of the past 3 seasons. This year Forte has not yet reached the mid-way point in the season and he has already ran for 672 yards, well on his way to another 1000 yard season. This year he has also brought down 38 passes for 418 yards. He is on pace for a 1300 yard rushing and a 1000 yard receiving season. Either one of those numbers would likely yield a new contract for many. Thus far, Forte has been targeted 22 percent of the time in the passing game and amounts to 27 percent of the receptions. When adding in his workload in the running game he accounts for roughly 53 percent of the offensive touches. Without Forte, this offense is far from productive. To this point, Forte's numbers and impact on the offense have earned him a new contract.
So why the hesitation?
Mostly it has to do with Chris Johnson. With Chris Johnson's very public holdout, and his subsequent struggles it has made teams much for hesitant to resign premier running backs. As a general rule running backs are in their prime for about 5 years or so. With many trailing off after the 5 year mark, and becoming mediocre to poor producers. This is what the Bears fear. They fear granting Matt Forte a new contract only to be left with a dud.
My opinion is that they should sign him. Matt Forte is 25 years old. He still has not hit his prime as an athlete. Generally in any sport it is the age 27 season that has yielded the most production. I feel that failing to sign Forte represents a team that does not believe in their players. Forte has shown no signs of deteriorating, in fact quite the opposite. Forte is currently having the best season of his career. If Chicago fails to extend Forte's contract it may send a message to future players. That message? The Chicago Bears don't take care of their own. If the team gives in to those types of fears when dealing with Forte, who then warrants a contract? Forte has been an indispensable aspect of the offense. If the best player on your team isn't deserving of a contract extension, then who on your roster is deserving?
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