It’s official — as of today the Matt Forte era for the Chicago Bears is going to come to an end. For years Forte was the best weapon the Bears had, and he enjoyed a couple of remarkably productive years. But now that he’s 30 and they’ve got Jeremy Langford for cheaper and looking the part of a starter, it’s time for Forte to find greener pastures.
I still think Forte can be a solidly productive player in this league, and my bet is that the New England Patriots are going to feel the same way.
It makes so much sense I’m almost ready to pencil in the signing right now. Pretend you’re Bill Belichick and you’ve got a backfield including Forte, Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount (if he re-signs) to play with. The mismatches Belichick could exploit with that group would probably even astound himself. He’s a coach who lives off mismatches — he would have had a ridiculously strong one if Aaron Hernandez was still there — and a guy like Forte would send his creative capabilities into overdrive.
Plus, and this is the big plus, Forte can still be an every-down back. I know Belichick likes to rotate his rushers based on the weaknesses of the defense that week, but Forte can do it all. With the Patriots’ wide receivers not exactly being notable outside of Julian Edelman, Belichick could easily trot out a two-back system with Forte and Lewis and be able to run any kind of play he wanted. And should the team struggle with their offensive line like they did this year, Forte’s receiving skills make up nicely for that.
Whatever contract the Patriots would hammer out with Forte wouldn’t be a problem either — the team has no real money or ties to anyone outside Lewis. Blount could still come back but he’d be cheap, and Brandon Bolden, James White and Tyler Gaffney are just guys. There’d be plenty of room for Forte and no fuss to bring him in.
And then for Forte, well, going from Chicago to a perennial contender like the Patriots has to be music to his ears. I doubt he’s too worried about scoring a mega-deal in free agency either, because no one’s going to throw big money at him. Not that he wouldn’t earn it based on his track record, but it’s just the way the league is now. Rushers are borderline interchangeable unless they are a once-in-a-generation talent. I can’t see there being much hangup on his end as far as that goes.
Bottom line, it’s just too good a fit for either side to ignore. If both sides are smart, Forte will be a Patriot as soon as possible.
