To Matt Forte, it's not that complicated. He's one of the league's most productive running backs, and that means he should be paid that way.
But despite Forte's seemingly sound logic, there remains a disconnect between player and team. Bears general manager Jerry Angelo had been interested in getting a deal done during training camp but has now opted to table discussions until after the season. There's not much Forte can do about it, other than put together another strong season and hope to avoid serious injury.
"If you look at the production, usually guys get paid off their production," Forte told CSN Chicago. "You look at their production and what level that's on, and you look at the guys who produce similar and what they get paid, and it's not that hard.
"Obviously, somebody doesn't believe I'm an elite running back."
Are you happy now, Jerry Angelo? You've obviously gone and hurt the man's feelings. You proud of yourself?
Forte's not being unreasonable. He watched running backs both above his production level (Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson) and below (D'Angelo Williams, Ahmad Bradshaw) get paid while he plays out the final year of the rookie contract he signed in 2008. Forte is due to earn $600,000 this season.
Feelings are hurt now, but the color green has a habit of burying hatchets.
