Thread: Cutler Says He'd Be Shocked if Forte Didn't Sign Tender............Jay Cutl

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

I've been saying this for awhile now. he's not going to miss a game. He has no reason not to sign, but that doesn't mean you just up and sign right away, there's a deadline for a reason; you use that time to get a deal done b/c the team has no reason to look into an extended offer once you sign it.

I'd agree unless he's got an indication from the Bears that they're willing to consider a new offer. I understand what you've been saying about the fact that he may feel his trust was betrayed last fall but I really don't think that was the Bears intention.

I still think it came down to the Bears asking him what he was looking for an he shot out those DWill numbers. The Bears felt he was being unreasonably high so they began unreasonably low figuring to meet somewhere in the middle. Only the problem is I don't think Matt has ever budged from his demands.

Every time he speaks out he's says the same thing. He doesn't need to be the highest paid back in the league but he's expecting to be paid like other top backs. I take to mean the deals like DWill and DeSean Jackson got. I believe the Bears have upped their offer once already this year but Matt is still stuck on those numbers of $20 mil and $40 mil plus.

The Bears are willing to reopen negotiations which means they must have some new ideas as far as compensation or structure. If I was Forte I consider that good news. We've gone round and round on this before and I would still insist that as an employer you don't call for reopening negotiations just to present the same old crap warmed over and and served on a new plate. That does show a lack of respect.

So.............if he knows in his heart that in another month he's gonna sign that tender anyway why not just do it now and get hear what the Bears have to say. If Cutler and the rest of the guys are convinced he won't hold out anyway what difference does a month make if it represents the chance to talk it over again.

Maybe the Bears are willing to throw more money into the guarantee. Or maybe they'll offer some significant bonus money in years three and four so that if his knees don't give out and he's still productive he earns that money. The Bears are taking some risk on the front end and he's taking some risk on the back end. To me that an attempt to meet in the middle.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

well i'm not trying to get into the actual contract talks(there's at least 3 or 4 other threads for all that), but again you see the same thing, another player saying they want Forte on the team and they understand it's all buiness and have no doubt he'll be here helping. And at the end of the day that's all that matters.

The Bears might have had or still have no intention of signing him at his price, that's regardles or the point. All that matters is Forte is playing this year.

One way or the other he will. He won't turn his back on $7.74 mil. If they can't come to an agreement he'll play for the tag and hope he can test FA next year betting that the Bears won't tag him a second time.

Originally Posted by soulman

One way or the other he will. He won't turn his back on $7.74 mil. If they can't come to an agreement he'll play for the tag and hope he can test FA next year betting that the Bears won't tag him a second time.

Exactly. I figure there are worse things in life than taking $7 million dollars for playing a game you love - for about 8 months.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

Exactly. I figure there are worse things in life than taking $7 million dollars for playing a game you love - for about 8 months.

In the words of Steve Miller; "Go on take the money and run". There's some risk to that but if he wants to bet the Bears won't tag him again and he'll get a shot at FA next year maybe that's what he'll do. My guess is they'll make every effort to sign him long term but they're just not gonna meet his price.

In your sig line is that Ditka in between Walter and Halas? With that hair and the mustache I can't tell.

Originally Posted by soulman

In your sig line is that Ditka in between Walter and Halas? With that hair and the mustache I can't tell.

Yeah, that's Ditka when he had the hair and mustache going. I like Ditka. A couple of years ago I heard him talking to some of the athletes at a college in town. Regardless of what folks think of him as a coach, he sure seems like a great guy. He let the young athletes ask him anything they wanted, and of course they had all kinds of questions. Ditka's answers (and the stories that went with them) were touching. He thought the world of Tom Laundry. Said he was a war hero who flew combat missions as a pilot in WWII. Said he was the greatest man he ever knew. When he talked about Walter Payton it was pretty emotional. Walter must have been quite a guy off the field as well as on it.

I don't get all the problems that come with this situation here.

Just sign the FT, agree to play the year first and then agree that there will be no FT next year on Forte. If we agree to a longterm deal, fine. If not, let him walk and stay cheap on the RB position.
Bears have a good roster in an *ALL IN* year and Forte can walk as SB champion into the Free Agency. He won't miss any time, will be prepared to the season for sure and with Bush on the Roster, it takes away the risk of another injury to Forte. He will get paid next offseason as Free Agent.