Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Bears and running back Matt Forte
have reportedly agreed to a long-term contract.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the team is in the process of finalizing
terms of a four-year deal.
The two sides had until Monday afternoon to work out a long-term pact or Forte
would have had to settle for a one-year franchise offer of $7.74 million for
the 2012 season. There had been speculation that Forte would have held out
during training camp if a multi-year deal had not been reached.
Forte played out his rookie contract in 2011 and finished a Pro Bowl campaign
with 997 rushing yards and three touchdowns despite missing the final four
games due to a right knee injury. He also caught 52 passes for 490 yards and a
score.
The 26-year-old Tulane product has 4,233 rushing yards and 1,985 receiving
yards with 29 touchdowns in his four-year career.
The Sports Network