Plenty of Speculation About Matt Forte to Packers
Free-agent-to-be Matt Forte announced he will not be returning to the Chicago Bears for his ninth NFL season, today. The parting of ways is a team decision and now plenty of people seem to think Forte will join former teammate Julius Peppers with the Green Bay Packers.
Yup. I mentioned this last week as destination for Forte that could make a lot of sense. #Packers #Bears https://t.co/32xSLWUEUf
— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) February 12, 2016
The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs shared a similar sentiment.
The question now is where will Forte land? As an excellent receiver out of the backfield, he would be an ideal fit for the Green Bay Packers, who got underwhelming production from Eddie Lacy last season. It makes sense as James Starks is a free agent. While Packers GM Ted Thompson rarely ventures into free agency, he hit with former Bears defensive end Julius Peppers two years ago and could look to Forte.
Does Forte make sense for the Packers?
He makes a lot of sense.
Starks will be a free agent and although he’s coming off his most productive season (career-high 601 rushing yards and 392 receiving yards), he’ll turn 30 on the 25th of February.
Forte turned 30 in December, but has been a No. 1 back throughout his career. Starks is a career backup and thus, the two players’ career stats tell the story. Starks has 2,361 rushing yards, 3,244 total yards and 13 total touchdowns in his six-year career. Forte has 8,602 rushing yards, 12,718 total yards and 64 total touchdowns in his eight-year career.
Forte would be an upgrade for the Packers in the talent department.
He would also be a capable starter if Eddie Lacy can’t get out of his own way.
Starks’ advantage in this scenario is that he’ll come at a cheaper price.
We’ve seen this many times before. We fully expect the Packers to make a lowball offer to Forte if they make an offer at all. At that point, he’ll need to decide if he wants a paycheck and a shot at a starting spot or if he wants a shot at a Super Bowl (and/or to stick it to the Bears).
That decision could be moot if the Seattle Seahawks get involved, however.
With Marshawn Lynch retiring, Seattle can provide Forte with a desirable contract, a starting job and a shot at the Super Bowl.
So while Forte may be a great fit for the Packers, the Packers may not be a great fit for Forte.
Let’s see if “potted plant” Thompson attempts to make a move.
There is zero, and i mean absolute fucking zero chance that they try to sign forte
Ha, It makes too much sense, that’s why it wont happen. But Forte always reminded me of just a more talented version of Edgar Bennett which is why im intrigued that this could happen.
No way this happens. We aren’t going to shell out a lot of money for him and I think he’s loyal to the Bears and won’t do that to their fan base. Probably will sign with the Pats, Raiders, Carolina, or Broncos.
No way with the broncos, they already have salary cap issues, and they still have to sign von Miller and a qb
Make it Alshon Jeffery of the Bears and I’m interested.
Totally agree. But the price will be too high.
I totally agree as well. However, Bears letting Forte go likely means Jefferey is a priority. He isn’t going anywhere. If they can’t get a deal done, they will tag him. Would be nice to get him though
Forte will be to high priced, and on the wrong side of 30. The biggest reason I would not sign him is, has anyone noticed how often Cutler takes sacks on blitzes when Forte should be picking up those blitzes. I do not want Forte protecting Rodgers. Lacy has his faults and didn’t perform as well in pass pro this year, however Forte does not come close to Lacy or Starks in protecting QB 1.
Forte or Starks? I’ll take Forte
People are pretty effin desperate when they are salivating over 30 year old RBs, which is like 60 in RB years, especially when you consider the multitude of injuries this guy has had. Seems like he is sitting by the end of nearly every damn season.
About the only thing I like about Forte is his ability to catch the football. Plenty of cheaper and younger guys available that can do that.
I’ve always felt there were 2 guys the Bears didn’t appreciate. Kyle Orton was a Packer killer (even when he wasn’t with the Bears) and Forte. I guess you could add Walter Payton as well after Ditka screwed him in the Super Bowl and let that fat fuck Perry score a TD.
We need a real NT like my guy Damon “Snacks” Harrison from the Jets. I’d also consider grabbing a veteran TE before I touched an aging overpriced RB in free agency… All day long. Especially one with as many miles as Forte (talent aside). You could possibly get two quality Free Agents for the price of one Matt Forte.
The Bears also didn’t appreciate Greg Olson either.
That was only because…….the bears.
Constant entertainment that team provides me….GO CUTTY!!
:)
At 30 years old he’s going to get hurt. Not worth it. We need fresh legs and speed. Not experience at rb. Need a randall cobb like running back. Quick and shifty with hands.
This this and this.
almost as bad as that Canon pop-up
Forte turned 30 in December, but has been a No. 1 back throughout his career. Starks is a career backup and thus, the two players’ career stats tell the story. Starks has 2,361 rushing yards, 3,244 total yards and 13 total touchdowns in his six-year career. Forte has 8,602 rushing yards, 12,718 total yards and 64 total touchdowns in his eight-year career.He would also be a capable starter if Eddie Lacy can’t get out of his own way.
The Packers would be ABSOLUTELY STUPID not to go and get Matt Forte. So, they probably won’t. Because, Ted Thompson is stupid.
I have faith in Eddie Lacy. I would rather see us go after Quinten Coples than try and sign Forte. He is a good football player, and very dangerous out of the backfield – which is great for our scheme – but I’m confident Eddie will get his shit together. I see Forte going to NE. Gives him a chance to win, and also a scenario in which he could get paid. We give him a chance to win, for sure, but we won’t pay him…Coples and Matthews rushing the passer in the GnG sounds freakking awesome
Albino Ted ( i’m a fucking moron) Thompson will probably let him slip away. He would and could be our new Levans type player. That would be way to smart to do that.So it will never happen.Fuck i wish he would just leave.