Matt Forte Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation on Bears RB

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte reportedly headlines a group of players the franchise may move before the NFL's trade deadline on Nov. 3.

Continue for updates.

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Forte Comments on Status With Bears

Tuesday, Oct. 6

Forte joined Bob Papa and Solomon Wilcots on SiriusXM Radio's The Opening Drive to discuss where he stands on his future with the Bears.

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Forte Now Available 'For The Right Offer'

Sunday, Oct. 4

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports the Bears hadn't previously discussed moving the 29-year-old rusher, but that's started to change. He notes the front office is now willing to listen but states an opposing general manager doesn't believe Chicago will find fair market value because of the star's age and contract.

Forte is making a shade above $7 million for the 2015 campaign with a cap hit of $9.2 million, according to Spotrac. He's also slated to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end.

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Forte Age Adds Risk for Potential Trade Partner

Forte has continued to perform at a high level for the Bears, averaging 115 total yards per game through three weeks, though he's found the end zone just once. His ability to make a significant impact both on the ground and as part of the passing game has long made him one of the league's most versatile backs.

On Sept. 16, Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long commented on Forte's work ethic during an appearance on The Waddle and Silvy Show on ESPN 1000, via ESPN's Jeff Dickerson.

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Matt Forte wears a shirt at the facility every day since my rookie year -- it’s a cutoff shirt so his big, ole guns can stick out -- and on the bottom it says '22,’ and up top is says ‘Workhorse.

If I had any issue with him wearing that shirt or if I didn’t think there was any validity to that statement, I’d tell him to take it off. But the guy earns it every day. He’s a shining example of what you are supposed to be like as a pro. He never complains. Never takes plays off. And it shows on Sundays.

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Acquiring rushers with a lot of mileage on their legs comes with risk, though. Forte has accumulated more than 2,300 NFL touches, and all of those hits begin to take a collective toll over time. Pro Football Reference data concluded that any running back over 28 is "old."

The Buffalo Bills traded for 27-year-old LeSean McCoy, one of the most heavily worked backs in the NFL during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles (1,761 touches in six years). His first season with his new team has already been plagued by a nagging hamstring injury.

Since Forte is a free agent after the season, a team wouldn't have to worry about a long-term commitment if it did trade for him. On the flip side, it wouldn't make much sense to trade anything of value for such a short-term rental.

That makes it unlikely he gets moved before next month's deadline. But it sounds like the Bears are at least listening for potentially intriguing offers if a team is looking to go all-in on this season.