The idiots in the Chicago Bears front office finally decided to do the right thing and pay their franchise. Running back Matt Forte has reached an agreement on a new four-year deal hours short of the franchise tag deadline.
Forte will reportedly receive around $8 million per season.
Had the two sides not reached an agreement by 3 p.m. CT today, Forte would have had to play the 2012 season under the franchise tag number of $7.742 million. He would have been a free agent again in 2013.
Forte has been clamoring for a new contract for some time. His rookie deal paid him $3.7 million over four years, but he performed much better than that. Word out of Chicago is Forte wasn’t planning on showing up for training camp if he didn’t get a long-term deal.
Forte has gained more than 900 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving in each season of his four-year career.