Chicago Bears likely to tag RB Matt Forte as option opens up on Feb 20th - NFL News
It’s decision time for Chicago Bears as the contract saga between the franchise and running back Matt Forte shows no signs of ending soon.
The National Football League will open up the option to franchises to tag their players from Monday, February 20th to March 5th.
A franchise tag allows teams to keep their players from reaching free agency for a full one-year on the average salary paid to the top five players in the position across the National Football League (NFL).
With Forte’s contract nearing its expiration this year the Bears are likely to utilize the tag option on him as soon as it becomes available, which will allow the Bears to work on a multi-year contract extension with the running back by July 16th.
If no contract could be agreed Forte would still be with Chicago for the entirety of the 2012-13 season.
Bears President Ted Phillips in a radio interview to ESPN said that the tag option is on the table and Chicago will not let Forte reach free agency under any circumstances.
"We'd like to (sign Forte to a new deal). But as Phil (Emery) pointed out we obviously will at least consider placing the franchise tag on him. We don't have any intention of letting Matt hit the open market. We'll sit down with him privately -- Phil will
-- and discuss what the plans are prior to the Feb. 20 franchise tag date."
The running back had previously dismissed an offer of a $ 14 million contract from the Bears as it did not match up to his salary expectations.
With a new general manager in Phil Emery and significant changes in the Bears front office, Forte is ready to accept the franchise tag but only if it results in a contract extension.
As wages for running backs fall this season, Forte can expect to earn around $ 7.7 million if he is tagged by Chicago and no long term deal is agreed upon by both parties.
The 26-year-old has been brilliant for the Bears ever since joining the franchise in 2008.
This season Forte covered a total of 997-yards from 203 attempts as he scored three rushing touchdowns.
Those statistics could have been even better if Forte’s season did not end prematurely with a knee sprain in Week 13 in a 10-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
More developments on this story are likely to appear in the coming days as the franchise tag date approaches closer.
Tags: