Chicago Bears table new contract offer to frustrated RB Matt Forte – NFL News
Running back, Matt Forte, has lately been highly frustrated with Chicago Bears as his contract saga continues with no end in sight.
The Bears signing of free agent Michael Bush led Forte to lash out at the franchise over the new signing, with the running back stating that Chicago had “disrespected” him by doing nothing over his new contract while signing another running back.
On Monday, though Bears President and CEO, Ted Phillips revealed that a new contract offer has been tabled to Forte and said that the new deal is better than their previous attempts.
Talking to the Chicago Sun-Times, Phillips hoped that the offer would appeal to the running back and he would sign the deal.
"I think not only do we appreciate him and have told him so, but I think the offer we've made him shows that, too. Now, different people can disagree on the ultimate value. But we feel we've made a strong offer to him and are still hopeful he accepts it."
The running back has lately been angered at what he perceives as the Bears stalling on giving him a new deal and the signing of Michael Bush would have done nothing but confirmed his fears.
Forte had a great 2011-12 season and was selected for his first Pro-Bowl appearance this year.
The running back rushed for 997-yards from 203 attempts while scoring three touchdowns. His stats would have been even better if not for a season ending knee injury keeping him out after week 13.
Phillips in the interview also tried to alleviate Forte’s concerns over the signing of Michael Bush and said that he was not signed to replace the running back in the Bears line-up.
"Matt Forte is our No. 1 running back. He's been told that, and he knows that. We all know that. He's going to be a Bear for 2012, at least. He knows he has a long-term offer on the table, and we hope, at some point and time, he chooses to accept that."
The Bears ended the 2011-12 season missing out on the playoffs. They lost five games in a row in the latter part of the season ending up 8-8.
That failure mostly due to a toothless offence after injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler and Forte has dictated the Bears free agency buys this year with wide receiver Brandon Marshall and Bush joining the franchise.
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