NFL Rumors: Analyzing Free-Agent Buzz on Matt Forte, Danny Trevathan and More

The Chicago Bears are set to be active as free agency gets underway in the NFL Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET. However, they could also be facing one of their former players twice a year.

The good news is that the Bears are courting Denver Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan, a key part of the Super Bowl champions' superior defense.

Potential bad news comes from Green Bay as the Packers are reportedly interested in running back Matt Forte. If the Bears have to face their former star twice a year, it's bound to feel like rock salt on an open wound.

ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Packers had an interest in Forte, and additional reports indicated that Forte's former teammate Julius Peppers is trying to help in the running back's recruitment to the Bears' main rival.

Forte, 30, is one of the most versatile running backs in the game, and the Packers could certainly use his running and receiving ability.

Playing with quarterback Aaron Rodgers instead of watching him pile up points against his team may be appealing to Forte, and being able to compete against Chicago twice a year has to feel good after the Bears let him know that they no longer needed his services.

Forte ran for 898 yards and four touchdowns last season, and he also caught 44 passes. However, Forte has exceeded the 1,000-yard rushing mark five times in his career. He also caught 102 passes in the 2014 season.

Running backs are not supposed to have long careers in the NFL, but Forte has already played eight seasons, and he looks capable of playing at least three more if he can avoid a serious injury.

If the Packers can get Forte to put his name on a contract and he adapts quickly to their system, he could be a great fit and have an exciting second phase to his career.

While seeing Forte sign with the Packers would hurt the Chicago fanbase, the Bears organization realized that their former running back could sign with anyone once they decided not to pursue him.

The Bears believe they have the running back position covered with second-year running back Jeremy Langford, and the team are more concerned with rebuilding their defense.

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While the Bears made some improvement in that area in 2015, they were among the worst defensive teams in the NFL in the two previous years. Head coach John Fox and the team's management appear interested in going after Trevathan.

Chicago Tribune NFL insider and Bears expert Brad Biggs tweeted that the Bears were interested in making Trevathan a signee by offering him a sizable deal.

"

Sounds like price tag on LB Danny Trevathan is going to be at or just a little above $7 million per season. That's not a surprise.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 8, 2016"

Fox, of course, coached Trevathan during his tenure with the Broncos, and he would clearly be an excellent acquisition for the Monsters of the Midway.

After injuries derailed Trevathan's 2014 season, he came back in impressive fashion with 109 tackles. He also had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

The 6'0", 237-pound Trevathan is a thick, nasty run defender who will upgrade any team he signs with.

The Houston Texans are in the market for a running back after cutting ties with oft-injured Arian Foster. They appear to be courting Lamar Miller, who will be a free agent Wednesday afternoon.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Texans are working on a deal with Miller, and he could be one of their signees.

Miller rushed for 872 yards and eight touchdowns last year, and that performance came on the heels of a 1,099-yard, eight TD season in 2014.

Miller has played in all 16 games in each of the last three seasons. That has to serve as some comfort for Houston head coach Bill O'Brien, because Foster played in just 25-of-48 games the past three seasons.

The Cleveland Browns have a long way to go before they can become a respectable team that has a chance to finish .500 or better, but they may be taking a step forward if they can sign wide receiver Marvin Jones away from the division rival Cincinnati Bengals.

Veteran Cleveland Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that head coach Hue Jackson would like to bring Jones in as his No. 1 or No. 2 receiver.

Jackson was the Bengals offensive coordinator before the Browns hired him as their head coach, and he clearly admires Jones' talent and potential. 

Jones caught 65 passes for 816 yards and four touchdowns last year, and Jackson would like to see him in a Cleveland uniform.