Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith says RB Matt Forte will be given contract soon - NFL News
Chicago Bears will agree to a new long term deal with running back Matt Forte soon. That is according to coach Lovie Smith as he talked with the media in Indianapolis during the National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine.
The Bears have been looking to tie down Forte to a new deal but negotiations are deadlocked since the end of the 2011-12 season with changes in the Bears front office delaying any progress in talks.
Chicago, has till the deadline of March 5 to sign the running back to a new contract or franchise tag him to stop Forte from becoming a free agent and signing a deal with their rivals.
Lovie Smith believes that a deal will be made and there is no chance of the first time Pro-Bowler moving away from Chicago.
"Matt is going to play his football for the Chicago Bears, you start with that. In time, hopefully we can get an agreement in place that suits Matt and we feel comfortable with. I think it's just a matter of time. That will happen eventually."
Smith though went on to add that Forte is very important to Chicago and the team has not changed its behaviour with the running back.
"The team hasn't changed its approach to Matt Forte, at all. I think we are on record to how important Matt is to our organization. Just him in the community for what he and his wife will do, and what they mean to us ... just him as a football player."
The Bears had previously offered Forte a deal guaranteeing $ 13-14 million but the 26-year-old refused the offer as he was not happy with the amount being given.
The running back had also stated that Chicago can tag him but they will not find him. However, lately his resistance to a tag has watered down with Forte saying that he will agree to a tag provided it leads to a new long term deal.
Both Chicago and Forte will be looking to get a deal done soon. The Bears will not want one of their biggest talents to leave the team as they look to improve on a poor 8-8 regular season record and reach the playoffs in 2012-13.
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