NFL Rumors: Matt Forte Justified in Refusing to Sign Bears' Franchise Tender

The Chicago Bears want Matt Forte back on the field, but the way they're going about it isn't doing anything to help.

The Bears franchised Forte earlier this year, but the star running back is refusing to sign the $7.7 million tender. Chicago's offseason workout program begins on Monday and nobody expects to see No. 22 anywhere near the facility.

In fact, ProFootballTalk cites ESPN's Adam Schefter saying on SportsCenter:

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Forte “is not signing anything until he has a long-term deal” and that he won’t be in Chicago until he signs that deal. Things could change once the deadline for signing franchise tags gets closer, but that isn’t until July 15th which means that Forte would miss the team’s full offseason workout schedule as well as their mandatory minicamp in June.

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The 26-year-old is in the prime of his career and was one of the most relied-upon players in the league last season prior to going down with injury. He's carried the ball an average of 253 times and caught the ball an average of 55 times per season in his four-year career.

That is over 300 touches per season and he missed all of four games last year as well. Those numbers don't include his 55 career postseason touches either.

Forte wants to be paid like the all-purpose back that he is, but he more importantly he wants long-term security.

This is the last opportunity he'll get at a major contract and he cannot let it go to waste.

The Bears are taking a hard line on this and it is not surprising the two sides are so far off. This is far from the first contract standoff for running backs in recent years and eventually something will get done.

For the time being, however, Forte is doing the right thing. He played his tail off last season in an effort to earn a big contract, and all he has to show for it is an injury and a franchise tag. He won't risk his long-term health again for a team that won't commit to him, nor should he.

Expect this to continue at a slow pace for some time.