Here is the second in a five-part series examining the Chicago Bears' top players of the 2015 season.
Name: Matt Forte
Position: Running back
Years in Chicago: Eight
Contract: Free agent
Key statistics: 218 rushing attempts for 898 yards and four touchdowns; 44 receptions for 389 yards and three touchdowns.
What they said about him: "Speaking of Matt; obviously a very accomplished player," Bears general manager Ryan Pace said. "He was very productive this year. He does a lot of different things really well. And another thing I want to say is the type of teammate he was this year. The way he handled that rotation with those younger guys -- that was all really positive. We feel like we have a really good group of running backs. Matt is one of the 18 unrestricted free agents that we have that we’ve got to discuss going forward. We’ve got to be real thorough and honest with that assessment. But we like the idea of a rotational group of running backs, and I thought that was one of our better rooms."
Jeremy Langford said: "It’s hard to explain how much I learned from him. I’ve learned a lot on how to be a professional, how to compete every game -- in it or not -- and how to finish, just like he did in Week 17. I think he had a great game versus the Lions. I just wish the results were different. It felt good seeing (Forte get in the end zone), especially for us as a team, since it’s been hard for us to score down in the red zone. To see him score really just put us in a position to win the game. It was fun to watch."
2016 outlook: As long as Forte is healthy, he can still help a team. The issue is Forte’s contract. He earned a base salary of $7.050 million in 2015. Forte will have to take a serious pay cut next year, but that probably is not enough to keep him in Chicago. The Bears think Langford is a future feature back, and Ka'Deem Carey (or another younger tailback) can handle the backup role. Forte, 30, recently told reporters there’s "not much hope" for him to re-sign with the Bears. He’s probably right. But Forte had a great eight-year run in Chicago. Forte is the second most productive running back in franchise history behind only Walter Payton, and has been one of the NFL’s best all-around tailbacks since he entered the league in 2008.
