April 14--New coach John Fox assembled his team for the first time Monday at Halas Hall and the Chicago Bears kicked off their voluntary offseason workout program without the most productive offensive player for the last seven seasons.
Running back Matt Forte was not present for the initial team meeting and the strength and conditioning work the team is allowed to do during the first two weeks of the offseason program, according to two sources familiar with the situation.
Forte announced on his Twitter account Monday afternoon that he worked out at Bommarito's, an athletic performance center in South Florida.
The two-time Pro Bowl performer is entering the final year of his contract and has let the team know he would like a new deal. Forte is due to earn $8.2 million this season but $100,000 of that money is tied to a workout bonus. Typically, the Bears require players to attend 85 percent of the voluntary offseason workouts to collect such a bonus. Not showing up is the only true leverage Forte has in seeking an extension. At $8.2 million, only four backs are scheduled to make more money than Forte this season -- LeSean McCoy, Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and DeMarco Murray. Of the four, McCoy, Lynch and Murray all got new deals this offseason.
The delicate situation for new general manager Ryan Pace is that Forte is 29 and while he's been tremendously durable and productive, he's also got high mileage on him. In a bad year for the offense all the way around, Forte rushed for 1,038 yards last season but averaged 3.9 yards per carry after being at 4.4 or better for the previous four years. In seven seasons, he has missed only five games and has played in every contest the last two years.
Forte signed his current four-year contract in July 2012 after then general manager Phil Emery placed the franchise tag on him. The $30.4 million contract included $13.8 million guaranteed. Forte skipped that entire offseason program and the mandatory minicamp but he was not subject to a fine as he was not under contract. Since, some clubs have de-valued the position but then top backs got big money earlier this offseason.
Forte set an NFL record for receptions in a single season with 102 last year. With 7,704 career rushing yards, he trails on Walter Payton in club history. Since his rookie season of 2008, he leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 11,431 and his rushing total ranks third behind only Peterson and Chris Johnson. Only Murray and Le'Veon Bell had more than Forte's 1,846 yards from scrimmage last year.
The production is undeniable but whether or not Pace is willing to put money into the 2016 season for a running back that will be 30 at the time remains a question worth pondering. Forte could show up at Halas Hall any time. The club has a voluntary minicamp from April 28-30. The mandatory minicamp is June 16-18 and if he is not present for that, he would be subject to a fine.
It's not unusual for players to pass on voluntary offseason programs as they seek a new contract, even with a new head coach. New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson is reportedly skipping his team's program as he awaits a new contract. Wilkerson is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
bmbiggs@tribpub.com
