Bears Reportedly Make Forte Offer

By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 1, 2011 6:10PM

ESPN Chicago is citing sources in reporting the Bears have made a contract offer to running back Matt Forte.

The contract calls for $13-$14 million in guaranteed money for the fourth-year running back, who's set to earn $550,000 in the final year of his rookie contract. The news comes as both San Francisco running back Frank Gore signed a three-year contract extension and Kansas City's Jamaal Charles signed a new six-year, $32 million deal.

Comcast Sports Net's John Mullin has been among those saying it would behoove both the Bears and Forte to close a deal before the Bears' season opener. Although ESPN's source wouldn't disclose the length and terms of the contract, it's believed the Gore and Charles deals and the new contract Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson inked this morning may be serving as an impetus for the Bears to lock in one of the most important cogs of their offense.