Bears Have Until Monday To Work Out Contract With Matt Forte

By Tim Bearden in News on Jul 15, 2012 6:00PM

Monday's July 16 deadline is sneaking up quickly as the Bears and Matt Forte continue to negotiate a long-term contract. The deadline is for teams and players stamped with the franchise tag, which to Forte is worth $7.74 million. He still has yet to sign that contract too.

Forte and the Bears have had trouble in the off-season reaching an agreement. The Bears gave the veteran running back the franchise tag in hopes of extending the talks over his contract. Forte had originally wanted a five-year deal worth $40 million, $20 million guaranteed. The Bears rejected that offer and signed former Oakland Raider running back Michael Bush to a four-year deal worth $14 million, $7 million of which is guaranteed.

Forte felt the Bush signing was a slap in the face. The Bears' starter has tallied 6,218 total offensive yards over 60 games and he was one of the main reasons the Bears were still fighting for the playoffs last year—until his season-ending knee injury against the Chiefs late in the season.

Forte is now confident and optimistic a deal can be reached by Monday's deadline, but there is no confirmation as to how deep the negotiations are getting in sealing a long-term contract for Forte. NFL Network has reported the Bears and Forte are "extremely close" to reaching an agreement before Monday. But if Forte and the Bears can't agree to an extension, Forte will play the next season under the franchise tag, which would pay $7.74 million.