Matt Forte Says Jets Aren't Tanking Season After Offseason Rebuild

The New York Jets turned heads with a handful of questionable offseason moves, but running back Matt Forte isn't ready to punt on the upcoming season.         

"It's a good thing we don't operate off of what the fans think and what everybody on the outside thinks," Forte said Wednesday before minicamp, per Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press. "What we think as a team, that's what's going to happen. And none of us on the team think that we're going to tank. So all I have to say about that is: Bring it."

While Forte's focus on winning is to be expected for a veteran and two-time Pro Bowler, this is a Jets organization coming off a 5-11 campaign, with the uninspiring combination of Josh McCown, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg at quarterback for 2017.

What's more, New York recently released wide receiver Eric Decker after he was the subject of trade rumors and already moved on from linebacker David Harris, defensive back Darrelle Revis, wide receiver Brandon Marshall and offensive linemen Breno Giacomini and Nick Mangold.

General manager Mike Maccagnan even had to clarify "that's not our focus" when asked if his team was tanking, per Connor Hughes of NJ Advance Media.

Forte was asked if his team has a competitive roster with the 2017 campaign on the horizon, and he responded, per Waszak Jr., "What kind of question is that? This is a professional football team. We have athletes on this team. In the league, it's not about the team that has the most talent on the roster. It's about the guys who have a brotherhood together."

Forte also said he hasn't heard or worried about the Jets front office potentially releasing him, but Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk noted his $4 million in guaranteed salary in 2017 likely helped him survive the wave of veteran cuts.

If he does remain, the running back will need more than his career-low 813 rushing yards he accumulated last season to keep the Jets competitive in the AFC East.