Chicago Bears may cut Matt Forte after 2014 season to save cap space
By Josh Hill
The Chicago Bears drafted a running back in the draft this year but there doesn’t seem to be too much controversy arising from the selection, even with Matt Forte locked in at starter. But while this year may not be a year we look at a running back controversy in Chicago, The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin points to next year as the time in which Forte’s days with the Bears could come to an end.
"Has a lot of wear on his tires, rushing the ball 1,551 times and missing only five games in six NFL seasons. He’s probably safe this year, with $2 million in dead money, but he might be expendable before 2015 with an $8.8 million cap number and fourth-round pick Ka’Deem Carey on board."
Now, let’s not misconstrue what Volin is saying here, as he’s simply pointing out a reality that we may have to deal with down the road and not something that immediately impacts the Bears or Forte. But while he’s a staple running back in Chicago, his days very well could be numbered as running backs are as disposable as ever nowadays and running out and grabbing fresh legs is a lot easier than it used to be.
Forte is an elite runner, but the tread on his tires may start to concern the Bears and we may see him part ways with the Bears like Maurice Jones-Drew did with the Jaguars and Chris Johnson did with the Titans this offseason. If the faces of those franchises can leave, there’s no saying Matt Forte is safe after 2014.