Pay Forte

I very rarely talk about football cases I know very little, if anything, about.  But, while I'm not on the inside of what's going on in the Chicago Bears v. Matt Forte contract negotiations, I know enough to comment on it as a fan.

Chicago has a history of great running backs.  After all, we've had Jimmy Conzelman, Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, Red Grange, and George McAfee...all of which are Hall of Famers.  We've gone thru some ups and downs.  Matt Suhey (a RB that Chicago fans absolutely ADORE, but he wasn't exactly on the same level as Payton) Adrian Peterson (NOT THE Adrian Peterson of Vikings fame), Marion Barber and others whose names are already forgotten.  


But, now?  We've got Matt Forte.  He's all the running back Chicago needs.  Let's be  honest.  Michael Bush is to Matt Forte what Matt Suhey was to Walter Payton.  


I personally don't know why 1) Forte won't sign the $7.7 million franchise tag (even though I don't like the tag.)  It does give Chicago the guy who is arguably the best running back in the league right now for another year and maybe able to work out the kinks that previous management wasn't able or willing to work out.  With Phil Emery now, he may see something that needs changing, and I'll admit that I don't exactly know how NFL contracts work or what the issues in what I have personally dubbed "ForteContract-gate" need to be worked out.  I'm unsure if they can be meet in the time everyone is wanting all to be met in.


And, 2) I don't know why the previous management was so unwilling to re-sign Forte to the contract that he deserves.


I would hope that Forte would swallow his pride enough to sign the franchise tag contract and that the Bears front office would swallow their pride and pay the man what he's worth.


And, in this fan's eyes, Forte is worth more than the $7.7 million franchise tag.  But, I'm willing to pay him that and work out what all needs to be worked out.  Because let's face it: This Bears team without Forte is like the 1985 Bears without Payton.


Forte is important to the Bears and the fans may never forgive the Bears if they let Forte go to another team.


But, that's just this fan's opinion.  


PAY FORTE!