Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte won't mind being tagged - NFL News
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte has now decided that if the franchise uses the tag on him he will be happy as long as it leads to a new contract.
The running back’s contract is set to expire and Forte has refused all previous offers by Chicago and is in a deadlock with the franchise.
Talking to a radio show Forte said.
"It depends on the motive of (the franchise tag)," Forte said Thursday
Adding further,
"If they are doing the franchise tag just to get more time in order to negotiate a long-term deal then I would be OK with it. But if it's just to hold me another year and just 'Let's throw some money at him right now to keep him quiet,' that's not going
to solve anything."
Forte had a brilliant season with the Bears but his season ended pre-maturely in week 13 after suffering a knee injury.
His loss coupled with that of quarterback Jay Cutler decimated the Bears offence which lost five of their last six games to miss out on the playoff rounds.
Bears President Ted Phillips had previously stated that he would not let Forte enter free agency and they will place the franchise tag on him if a new contract cannot be signed.
"If he's saying that then hopefully we do have a chance to sit down and hopefully they offer me a fair deal, unlike last year," Forte said. "Like I've been saying over and over again, every players wants to be compensated based off of their value.”
The running back covered 997-yards rushing this season from 203 attempts, scoring three touchdowns.
Forte also has a further 490-yards receiving from 52 receptions and a single touchdown.
His performances this year saw him being voted in to take part in his first Pro-Bowl in Hawaii this season.
The Bears who have hired a new general manager in Phil Emery will look to find a solution to their star running back’s contract soon and end any distractions in the off-season to prepare for the start of the 2012-13 season.
Chicago will look to return back to the playoffs in the next season and would want Forte in the roster to lead the charge.
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