Matt Forte was revered in the Chicago Bears fan community for being their most reliable offensive weapon across an eight-year span. No matter what went wrong with the offensive line, or the wide receiver or the quarterback. The team always knew if they got the ball to Forte, he’d make something happen to keep them in games.
That’s why it wasn’t easy to see him go this past off-season. Some held out hope that the Bears would sign him to a one-year deal even though he was turning 30. There was still a chance he might have a season or two left in the tank. GM Ryan Pace was not convinced. He chose to let the veteran running back walk and rebuild around a young crop of backs.
Experts were skeptical the Bears could ever replace what Forte brought. Not with guys like Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey. Little did anybody know that the quiet arrival of a rookie fifth round draft pick from Indiana would change everything.
