Thread: Bears CEO Phillips hopeful Forte will take 'strong offer'

Originally Posted by motownbear

I cant take a side in this until I see the numbers. They make it sound reasonable but Forte side makes it sound like its an insult

and both sides are tight lipped about the deal lol

This is a NEW offer and we haven't heard anything from the Forte camp about it yet. Just sayin'

Originally Posted by omc1969

This is a NEW offer and we haven't heard anything from the Forte camp about it yet. Just sayin'

Do we know it's a new offer? The way everything is worded it seems it could either be a new one or just the old one that they are describing as "strong".

Originally Posted by Papa Bear

Do we know it's a new offer? The way everything is worded it seems it could either be a new one or just the old one that they are describing as "strong".

Yeah it's a new offer but as usual no details yet as per - :Inside the Bears: bit.ly/H9edjW
also read it on multiple other sites. Can't seem to make links work though. :-(

Lovie has spoken with him and given him assurances that Michael Bush wasn't brought in to replace him. Phillips seems to be saying that they upped their ante significantly and makes no mention of a time frame of of it being a take it or leave it deal so to me the game is still being played.

I'd be willing to bet that the Bears aren't giving $20 mil plus in guarantees but maybe they've offered him two options. One a 4 year deal and the other a 5 year deal like he wants. Probably around $30 mil on a 4 year and around $36 on a 5 with about $17-$18 mil guaranteed. I would call that a good offer.

BBAO: Matt Forte 'is going to be a Bear'

March, 27, 2012 Mar 27
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By Kevin Seifert


We're Black and Blue All Over:

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- While I was scurrying this way and that Monday at the NFL owners meetings, Chicago Bears president Ted Phillips was addressing the future of tailback Matt Forte with Chicago-area reporters. As you know, Forte did not react well to the signing of backup Michael Bush and apparently there have been low-level trade rumors as a result because he has not yet signed his franchise tender.

Coach Lovie Smith threw water on the fire Sunday in a conversation with ESPN's Rachel Nichols, and via Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, Phillips said: "Matt is going to be a Bear." Phillips added: "Our goal with Matt is to keep him a Bear as long as possible. We have made offers on long-term deals that we think reward him at a high level, the level he deserves. We haven't been able to reach common ground. The door is open to keep talking. If we get a deal done, we'll be happy. If we don't, then the deal we have is the franchise tag and we'll see what happens after this year." (This says it's not a take it or leave it deal nor does it have a time limit before it's pulled. It also says he won't be traded before the 2012 season and that they expect him to play under his tag if the deal doesn't get done and I believe he will)

The remaining piece of this puzzle is the value of the long-term deal Forte has turned down. As a result, we don't know if the dispute is based on a lowball offer from the Bears or an inflated value Forte has established for himself. But obviously the sides are nowhere close at the moment, and the question shifts to whether Forte will play under the terms of the $7.74 million franchise tag or if he will stay away from training camp when it opens in July. (This is the question we've all been asking but I doubt the Bears are holding to anything like the offer JA made last fall. If you're gonna go to all the trouble to present a new offer when there hasn't even been a counter by the other guy you might just as well get it within hitting range)

Originally Posted by bearsinhouston

My concern is that anything less than a very top money deal will be an "insult" to Forte. And I don't see that kind of deal on the table. Forte needs to be flexible and maybe have another conversation with Knox about whether or not Knox thinks he made the right decision by turning down a fair but not top of the market offer.

Good point Houston.

Originally Posted by 4DaBERS

Good point Houston.

I'm still finding it hard to believe Knox turned down a reported 4 yr deal worth 4mil a year.

Forte got awfully quiet on his Twitterz.