Sources say Forte/Bears close in on 5 year deal.

**BigBadPapaBear** · 07-13-2012, 09:06 PM

I was just checking the Tribune's site and they had this to say. Where exactly are they getting this info from? I don't ever remember the Forte camp making this public.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,3781315.story

By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter 7:30 p.m. CDT, July 13, 2012

Matt Forte once again has expressed optimism that he and the Bears will come to an agreement on a long-term deal before Monday's looming deadline for players subjected to the one-year franchise tag that is worth $7.74 million to him.

"I'm a very optimistic guy,'' Forte said Friday in an interview with ESPN's Adam Schefter. "So going into this weekend, I'm very optimistic that it will get done … saying my prayers and everything.''

Though his outlook is positive, neither the Bears nor his agent, Adisa Bakari, have acknowledged the sides are in deep negotiations.

Forte has said previously that he didn't believe the Bears valued him as an elite back with 6,218-career all-purpose yards in 60 games. And he felt "disrespected'' when the team signed veteran running back Michael Bush to a four-year, $14 million contract, $7 million of it guaranteed.

Forte originally sought a five-year, $40 million deal with $20 million guaranteed. The Bears' original offer included close to $15 million guaranteed and $6 million per season for the same period.

**Grizzblue** · 07-13-2012, 09:31 PM

I hope it gets done but not near his 40mil 5 year idea...like was stated before cuttu and urlacher need a payday as well soon

Life would go on and bears could move forward without forte

Cutler/lacher?...not so much imo

**BigBadPapaBear** · 07-13-2012, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by Grizzblue

I hope it gets done but not near his 40mil 5 year idea...like was stated before cuttu and urlacher need a payday as well soon

Life would go on and bears could move forward without forte

Cutler/lacher?...not so much imo

Cutler seems like a lock, but I wouldn't be too sure about Urlacher if his play isn't stellar this season. If Urlcaher shows signs of a decline this season, then it would be a perfect time to cut ties with him. But I hope he plays like last season. Last season Urlacher looked like a pimp out there.

**Riczaj01** · 07-13-2012, 10:20 PM

The Bears are one of the best teams when it comes to Cap, I wouldn't worry about them getting burned and struggling down the line. Just make sure the deal gets done. As for Cutler, he'll get his, but don't worry about it being anywhere near what Brees got. He't not in that class of QB's. Ulrchacler isn't looking at a huge/long term deal either at his age, he'll get good money, but not record setting money. Hester's deal will actually come down significantly as he's now the 3rd/4th wr/PR(rarely even kr now).

I don't see him getting 20/40; but that was the speculation b/c of the other deals being given out. That's also, if I were him, what I would have started out at when they offered 14 understanding that both would then have to move up/down toward what he was probably actually looking for. Hopefully we here good news before 4 or 6pm Monday(cut off time). I'm hoping this weekend.

**The Benjamin** · 07-14-2012, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

Cutler seems like a lock, but I wouldn't be too sure about Urlacher if his play isn't stellar this season. If Urlcaher shows signs of a decline this season, then it would be a perfect time to cut ties with him. But I hope he plays like last season. Last season Urlacher looked like a pimp out there.

Define a decline BBPB. How much of a decline? He could decline a little and still be considered one of the best MLBs in Football. That is how far better he is compared to most of the MLBs in the game.

**Riczaj01** · 07-14-2012, 08:15 AM

One of the best and one of the elite don't get paid the same though Benj. And if you have to look at Forte at 26 as a concern how do you look at a 35(next year)MLB? Really wanna pay him top MLB money for the next 4-5 years when he'll be 39-40?

This might have been the biggest mistake the Mc's made, you get Forte's deal done last year, even if it's 16-18 mil, and a big chunk of that is off the books when you have to sign Url and Cutler. And they had the cap space to do it. The lowball offer gamble they ran ended up backfiring in that aspect. Ecspecially if he ends up getting that kind of money now. But we'll know for certain in the next 3 days on where that goes and how the money breaks down.

**bearsinhouston** · 07-14-2012, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

Urlacher looked like a pimp out there.

You mean because of Jenny McCarthy?

**little bear** · 07-14-2012, 10:47 AM

I'm just hoping he won't cost us more than $40M. Let's get this deal done and move on.

**Riczaj01** · 07-14-2012, 04:09 PM

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82a8ce28/article/matt-forte-reportedly-extremely-close-to-bears-deal?campaign=Twitter_atl_sessler

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears extremely close on contract

By Marc Sessler
Writer
Published: July 14, 2012 at 02:33 p.m.
Updated: July 14, 2012 at 04:15 p.m.

Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai
Matt Forte is making steady progress in his quest for a new contract.
The Chicago Bears running back is "extremely close" to a long-term deal with the team, NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reported Saturday, citing a source with knowledge of the situation.
Forte said Friday he planned to spend this weekend on phone with Chicago's front office, amid reports the sides had made "considerable progress."
Forte has yet to sign his one-year, $7.749 million franchise tender. Despite his longstanding unhappiness with the Bears' front office, Forte said last month he had no choice but to play in 2012.
We have Lombardi tracking this closely and will continue to feed you updates. We know Bears fans are prepared to raise their glasses if this one finally gets done.

**The Benjamin** · 07-14-2012, 04:11 PM

Didn't say 4-5 years, but if he has a slight decline and is still playing like one if the best a 1-2 year extension would be fine

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