Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte is not participating in voluntary workouts this week because he wants a new contract, according to The Chicago Tribune. Forte is due to make more than $7 million in base salary as well as a $1 million signing bonus, but he's not signed beyond this season.
Forte has been a workhorse for the Bears over the past several seasons, and highly productive. However, at 29 years old his valiant durability may now be working against him. 30 is considered a magic number for running back decline, and Forte will turn 30 late in the 2015 campaign.
Forte has missed one start during the past three seasons, and carried the ball at least 248 times in all three. He has totaled more than 1,000 yards rushing in each of those three seasons and more than 1,400 yards from scrimmage.
2014 was a low point for the Bears offense and was the poorest of Forte's last three seasons. He just barely topped 1,000 yards on the ground and dipped below four yards per carry. On the other hand, he had a career-high 102 receptions and 808 yards.
Forte hinted that he would not hold out into the regular season. "Relax everybody," Forte wrote on social media. "It's called voluntary W/O for a reason. I've always been there especially when it counts!"
Forte may be out of luck if he wants a long-term deal. The entire Bears front office has changed, and new head coach John Fox has never relied on a lone back to be a workhorse. He had multiple running backs with the Carolina Panthers, and last season had no problem transitioning between three rushers in the Denver Broncos backfield.
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