The Chicago Bears are set to face off against the Detroit Lions in Week 17 of the 2015 NFL season. It will be the last game for the Bears this season and it appears that it will be Matt Forte’s last game as a member of the Bears. Rumors are circulating that the Bears will not bring him back and Forte has opened up and said that he doesn’t expect to return to Chicago.
During a recent interview, Forte talked about his career with the Bears and it was obvious that he has really enjoyed his time with the team.
“I’ve been blessed to play here as long as I have,” Forte said. “I’ve enjoyed my time here. I look back on when I first came in and played against legendary people like Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs [and] Charles Tillman — I’ve gotten to play against a lot of those tough defenses that we’ve had and they helped shape my career as a running back by playing against them and learning that way. I can only look back and smile the whole time.”
Forte had a very solid 2015 season with the Bears and was hoping that his production could earn him a new contract. That has not been the case, however, and it appears that the Bears are sold on rookie running back Jeremy Langford being the long-term option for them at the running back position.
Throughout the course of the 2015 season heading into Week 17, Forte has carried the football 201 times for 822 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 41 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns. Forte may not be the superstar running back that he once was, but he is still capable of putting up a much bigger season than he has with more work and staying healthy.
Chicago may not bring him back, but Forte will not be short of suitors in free agency this coming offseason.
Expect to see the Bears and Forte part ways, but it is a tenure that Forte will never forget. He has been a fan favorite for quite some time, but all good things come to an end at some point.
