Matt Forte Rumors: Will Chicago Bears Get Deal Done with Running Back?

The Chicago Bears used the franchise tag on Matt Forte on Friday, ensuring that the 26-year-old running back would not be hitting the open market when free agency starts on March 13. The Bears and Forte would both like to work out a long-term contract to keep the Tulane product in Chicago, but as of now there has been little progress on such a deal.

The two sides have until July 15 to get a multi-year deal done. If they can't work something out, Forte will play next season under the one-year, $7.7 million tag. While that seems like a lot of money for a running back—especially considering how interchangeable backs have become in the NFL—you can bet that Forte would prefer some long-term security.

Luckily for both sides, two teams have locked up running backs to long-term contracts in the past few days. The Seattle Seahawks and Marshawn Lynch agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal with $18 million guaranteed, and the Houston Texans and Arian Foster agreed to a five-year, $43.5 million pact, with $20.75 million guaranteed.

Those contracts will likely help set the framework for a deal between Forte and the Bears. In fact, the Chicago Sun-Times expects Lynch's deal to be the floor in any talks between the two sides. 

That makes sense, considering how well Forte was playing before a knee injury forced him to miss the final four games of the 2011 season. In 12 games, Forte ran for 997 yards and three touchdowns on 203 carries (4.9 yards per carry). He also caught 52 passes for 490 yards and another score. Those numbers were good enough to earn him his first Pro Bowl selection. 

Forte is a versatile running back who has been Chicago's most consistent offensive player during each of his four years in the NFL. The Bears have to get a long-term deal done with him. I'd be surprised if it doesn't happen before the July 15 deadline.