We don’t blame the Green Bay Packers for not signing running back Matt Forte.
The former Chicago Bear got a three-year deal with the New York Jets on the opening day of free agency for $12 million. You can bet $4 million annually is more than the Packers were interested in paying for a 30-year-old backup running back.
This pretty much confirms that.
Forte says TB, Dallas and NE and GB also showed interest. He said NE and GB had "minor interest." #nyj
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 14, 2016
The minor interest displayed by the Packers likely consisted of them calling Forte’s representation to gauge the price. We know they did indeed go that far, but their interest probably ended as soon as it was revealed that Forte had more aggressive suitors.
If Forte had been willing to take about half of what the Jets gave him to play with a contender, then we could see the Packers getting serious. As it turned out, they didn’t get serious because Forte clearly was more interested in cashing in one more time than he was in winning.
As it stands, the Packers will likely end up re-signing James Starks and slotting him in behind Eddie Lacy in 2016.
That move now appears to be imminent.