Bears Secure Multi-Year Contract With Matt Forte

Matt Forte's Contract With Bears Includes $18 Million Guaranteed

After some sparring back and forth over the offseason, the Matt Forte and the Chicago Bears finally came together on a longterm contract Monday that would pay the running back around $8 million per season. Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the deal also includes a nice guaranteed sum for Forte.

BREAKING: #Bears RB @MattForte22 will receive over $18 million in guarantees, according to source close to the situation.

— Sean Jensen (@seankjensen) July 16, 2012

The Bears had until 4 p.m. ET on Monday to get a deal done before Forte would be forced to play under the team's franchise tag. Instead, he now has the security of a four-year deal. The Bears, in turn, get a key piece of their offense back happy. Forte's deal should just about wrap up what has been an eventful offseason for the Bears. They also signed wide receiver Brandon Marshall and running back Michael Bush.

For more on the Bears deal with Forte, visit Windy City Gridiron and SB Nation Chicago.

Matt Forte, Bears Finalizing 4-Year Contract

Matt Forte and the Chicago Bears have struck a deal only hours before Monday's deadline for franchise tagged players to sign longterm deals. Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the two sides have agreed to a multi-year contract and are finalizing all the details now.

The four-year contract will reportedly average $8 million per year, according to reports. Speculation had centered around a deal averaging $8-9 million per year so that sounds about right.

Forte finished his rookie deal last season at which point the Bears popped the franchise tag on him.

The longterm deal is best for both sides. Forte gets some security with the longterm deal and the Bears get their star running back under contract. Forte is one of the most important pieces of the Bears offense so doing a longterm deal was obviously a priority.

With Forte in the fold, Bears fans can look forward to an offense that has a couple of newcomers, including Michael Bush and Brandon Marshall.

The Bears had until 4 p.m. ET on Monday afternoon to agree to a longterm deal with Forte or else they would have to wait until after the 2012 season.

For more on the Bears deal with Forte, visit Windy City Gridiron and SB Nation Chicago.

Matt Forte, Bears Reportedly 'Extremely Close' To Contract Extension

After months of bitter contract negotiations and very little progress, it appears Matt Forte and the Bears may be getting closer to a contract extension as the deadline to sign a franchise player looms. Forte and the Bears are said to be "extremely close" to reaching a long-term extension, according to a report from the NFL Network's Michael Lombardi.

The two sides have until Monday to reach an agreement, or Forte will have to play the 2012 season under his $7.7 million franchise tender. The negotiations have been ongoing since before the 2011 season, and the knee injury Forte suffered last year only complicated matters.

The dispute has gotten ugly at times, with Forte publicly showing his displeasure. Even Bears quarterback Jay Cutler got caught in the crossfire. Forte rushed for 997 yards in just 12 games last season. He has 4,233 yards in his four-year career with the Bears.

For more on Forte and the Bears, head over to the SB Nation blog Windy City Gridiron and SB Nation Chicago.

Matt Forte, Bears Making Progress Before Franchise Tag Deadline

Matt Forte and the Chicago Bears are still at odds over the running back's contract, but they could come to an agreement on a deal before the franchise tag deadline. Forte has not signed his franchise tag tender because he wants a long-term deal, and the deadline to sign is on Monday. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the two sides are making progress on a long-term contract.

League sources said there has been considerable progress between the Bears and Matt Forte ... There are still issues to hash out regarding the average per year on the deal over the first three years, and how it could compare to say Marshawn Lynch's new deal, but there has been movement on what the deal might look like over five years.

Forte injured his knee just before the end of last season, which might have hurt him in long-term contract negotiations. The dispute between the two teams has been very public, with Forte regularly expressing his displeasure with the team, but he has also indicated that he does want to work out a deal and stay in Chicago.

For more on Forte and the Bears, head over to the SB Nation blog Windy City Gridiron and SB Nation Chicago.

Jay Cutler Talks Matt Forte's Contract Situation, Again

A month ago, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said he would be "shocked" if Matt Forte didn't sign his franchise tender in time for the start of training camp. Wednesday, Cutler sounded a little less confident.

Appearing on ESPN 1000 in Chicago, Cuter said, "we don't know what's gonna happen." He then went on to say, "so if and when we get Matt back, we're happy to have him."

It could be Cutler is less confident Forte will sign his franchise tender. Or it could be the quarterback is trying to avoid saying too much after Forte was less than thrilled with Cutler's "shocked" comment. Following Cutler's comment, Forte told the Chicago Sun Times, "It kind of looks bad when other people speak for you. [Cutler] doesn't really know what's going to happen. He's not in the negotiations."

The Bears and Forte have until July 16 to agree on a long-term contract. If they don't agree, Forte will likely sign his franchise tender and earn $7.7 million in 2012.

For more on Forte and the Bears, head over to the SB Nation blog Windy City Gridiron and SB Nation Chicago.

One Prediction: Matt Forte's Contract With Bears Gets Done

The Chicago Bears and their fans have watched nervously as the offseason showdown between the team and running back Matt Forte continues. Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted on Sunday that he believes the two sides will reach a deal before the middle of the month.

RT @JSKing61: Any news on Forte extension? Think he is worth it? ... Think that deal gets done by July 16. And he's worth what Bears pay.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 1, 2012

Chicago used the franchise tag to keep Forte off the free agent market this spring. Teams and players have until July 16 to agree to long-term contracts with franchised players.

Forte, who missed four games last season, rushed for 997 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 52 passes for 490 yards and one touchdown. His overall rating from Pro Football Focus, an 18.1, was the fourth highest mark for any running back last season.

For more on the Bears, check out Windy City Gridiron.

Matt Forte Won't Commit To Bears Training Camp

The Bears and Matt Forte have been entangled in a contract dispute for more than a year. The negotiations hit an impasse during last year's training camp and the dispute lingered through the regular season and now into this offseason. Forte is yet to sign his franchise tender, although he admitted Friday he will play in Chicago this season.

"I don't think I really have a choice, do I?" Forte said to a group of reporters at a charity event Friday. "Yeah, I'll be here."

Although the regular season is not in doubt, Forte has yet to commit to reporting to Bears training camp. He previously skipped OTAs and minicamp this offseason. If he and the Bears do not agree to a long-term contract extension, Forte could play this season under his franchise tender. He will be guaranteed $7.749 million in 2012 if he signs his franchise tender.

Players will report to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., July 25 for the Bears' training camp.

For more on Forte and the Bears, head over to the SB Nation blog Windy City Gridiron and SB Nation Chicago.

Matt Forte Responds To Bears' Concerns About Knee

The Chicago Bears may be holding off on a contract extension for Matt Forte due to concerns about his knees, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday. Forte fired back against those concerns Sunday morning with a Tweet that included a video of him running up a hill with a 100-pound sled strapped to his back.

100Lbs sled up hill i think my knee will be ok RT @nfl: Bears concerned with Matt Forte's knees: nfl.com/news/story/090… twitvid.com/OPVBZ

— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) May 27, 2012

Forte's agent, Adisa Bakari, also responded Sunday, calling the Bears' concerns "absurd."

"Matt Forte is among the most, if not the most, durable, all-purpose running back in the NFL," Bakari said. "The 2011 season was the first season of his career that he missed any games. Had the Bears been play-off contenders, he could have returned for the balance of the season. To question his durability at this stage in his career is absurd."

Forte skipped the first week of the Bears' OTAs in dispute of his contract. In April he said that he would refuse to sign the Bears' franchise tag offer. Among his four years in the league, Forte has only once failed to play in 16 games. Though he missed four games in 2011, he averaged a career-best 4.9 yards per carry. Forte, who will turn 27 in December, has recorded 1,237 career touches in the NFL.

For more on Forte and the Bears, head over to the SB Nation blog Windy City Gridiron.

Just Business: Examining Where The Franchise-Tagged Players Stand

Free agency and the draft dominate the NFL offseason. Contract skirmishes and player holdouts are another part of the story between April and September. Which contract situations are likely to get worse before they get better?

Matt Forte Says He Will Not Sign Bears' Franchise Tag Offer

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte says that he will not sign the franchise tender extended to him by the team last month. In fact, according to Adam Schefter reporting on ESPN SportsCenter, Forte says that the only thing he will sign is a long-term contract.

Forte was unhappy when the Bears signed free agent running back Michael Bush from the Oakland Raiders. The team has reportedly made a long-term contract offer to Forte that the leadership there defends as a fair offer. Forte has yet to agree to that deal.

Chicago begins their first round of offseason workouts on Monday. Barring a last-minute deal, Forte will be a no-show for those activities. The whole situation sets up what could be a lengthy holdout for Forte. The deadline to sign the franchise offer, which would pay Forte $7.7 million, is July 15.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bears, please visit Windy City Gridiron or check out SB Nation Chicago.

Matt Forte Not Expected At Start Of Chicago Bears Offseason Program

The Chicago Bears knew that a key component of their 2012 offense would have to involve retaining star running back Matt Forte. Attempts at working out a long-term contract stalled well before the free agent deadline, so the Bears opted to affix their franchise tag to Forte. Unfortunately, Forte has shown little interest at this point in signing his franchise tag tender, either.

According to Brad Biggs at the Chicago Tribune, there is no progress on Forte either signing the tender or the two sides agreeing on a long-term contract. To that end, Forte is expected to be absent at the beginning of offseason workouts next Monday and miss mini-camp in June as the Bears gear up for next season. Forte will not be allowed to attend any offseason workouts until he signs with the team.

Bears general manager Phil Emery stresses that the team will continue to work toward a long-term deal with Forte.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bears, please visit Windy City Gridiron or check out SB Nation Chicago.

Matt Forte Franchise Tagged By Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have been attempting to sign star running back Matt Forte to an extension before free agency opened up. The two sides were set to meet last week during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and begin discussing a new deal for Forte. It appears that the talks were either not progressing as quickly as hoped, or Forte was not interested in any of the Chicago offers, because the Bears will be using their franchise tag on Forte to retain him for the 2012 season.

The official Chicago Bears Twitter feed announced on Friday night that the team would be applying the franchise tag on Forte. This will keep the running back under control through 2012 and will give Chicago until the following free agency period to attempt to come to terms with him on an extension.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bears, please visit Windy City Gridiron or SB Nation Chicago. For complete coverage of free agents and the NFL offseason, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL free agency hub.

Matt Forte, Bears Talking Contract At NFL Combine

The Chicago Bears have made it clear that the number one priority among their impending free agents is running back Matt Forte. The team has no intention of allowing Forte to slip away and plans on retaining him for 2012 by any means necessary.

It appears that the Bears are eager to begin working toward a new contract as soon as possible. Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported on Friday that the team will open talks with Forte regarding a new deal while in Indianapolis for the 2012 NFL Combine this week.

The Bears had noted previously that they would have no issues with using the franchise tag on Forte, if it came down to that. It makes sense that they want to get talks started as soon as possible, to gauge whether a deal can be hammered out before Forte hits the market on March 13, or if they will need to apply the tag by the March 5 deadline in order to keep the running back from bolting.

For all news and information regarding the Chicago Bears, please visit Windy City Gridiron or SB Nation Chicago. For complete coverage of free agents and the NFL offseason, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL free agency hub.

Matt Forte Won't Hit Free Agency; Bears Plan To Keep Him

The Chicago Bears are dealing with a number of concerns this offseason, not least of which is the impending free agent status of running back Matt Forte. According to the Bears, they don't plan on letting Forte go anywhere.