Matt Forte, Chicago Bears Dealing with Distractions over New Contract

According to the Chicago Tribune, two teams have held “internal discussions about trading for running back Matt Forte.”

Today the Bears quelled rumors that they've been approached about their star player.

But the buzz is clear—Matt Forte should be paid by someone. And the running back is aware of the attention.

On Sunday, Forte said “I'm glad teams are interested. I just hope that when this year is over and I play as well as I've been playing, that if the Bears don't reward me with a contract, another team will.''

Forte is on a record-setting pace this year. At his current rate, he would finish with 2,416 yards from scrimmage, the third-most ever in a season. Only Marshall Faulk (2,429) and Chris Johnson (2,509) have more.

He leads the Bears in rushing and receiving, totaling 908 yards in just six games. Of Chicago’s 1,967 yards on offense, 46 percent are because of him.

Matt is making $550,000 in the final year of his rookie contract. And ESPN Chicago reported he turned down a deal worth between $13-14 million in guarantees.

For perspective, Adrian Peterson received $100 million over seven years from Minnesota; $36 million guaranteed.

Chris Johnson received $13.4 million per year for four years from Tennessee; $30 million guaranteed.

But Forte is believed to be asking for less money than DeAngelo Williams, who received $21 million guaranteed from Carolina.

And the Bears have no intention of losing their man.

Even if Forte and the team can’t agree on a deal, Chicago can always use the franchise tag next season. Applying the tag would pay Forte about $8 million for one season.

"It kind of doesn't make sense," Forte said, "if they don't want to pay me that type of money, why would they use the franchise tag, which is basically paying me that ($8 million) in one year?"

It’s a good question.

Because if he keeps playing this way, deals for Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson look more like bargains every week.