Who needs who more, Matt Forte or the Bears?

We are getting closer to the July 16th deadline for Matt Forte and the Bears to reach a long term agreement. Which got me thinking who needs who more? Does Forte mean more to the Bears or is it the other way around?

Now there is little debate that Forte is a good back. What he brings to the table few others do. In his four years he has finished in the top ten total yards from scrimmage three times. He has 6,218 total yards good for 103.7 yards per game with 29 TD’s to boot. Three times he has rushed for over a thousand yards. Arguably he is the best receiving back in the league.

Now with all that being said, if you look at the last five Super Bowl winning running backs only one has rushed for a thousand yards or more. That was the Giants Brandon Jacobs back in 2007 when he ran for 1,009 yards and had 174 yards receiving. the Steelers Willie Parker – 791 and 13, the Saints Pierre Thomas – 793 and 302, the Packers Brandon Jackson – 703 and 342 and the Giants Ahmed Bradshaw – 659 and 267. Not eye popping numbers.

Now I know what you are thinking all these teams had two back rotations. All NFL teams do now. Even if Forte does sign, the Bears will as well this year.

The NFL has become a passing league. With the additions of Brandon Marshall and Aslhon Jeffrey Forte’s value in the passing game is not as great as it once was. Don’t get me wrong, the thought of what Forte can do when he is not the main focus of the defense makes me giddy. The question becomes can the Bears be successful without him? If history shows us anything I think they can be.

Forte needs the Bears more then the Bears need Forte, and the Bears know it. Thats just my 2 cents.

Let me know what you think and as always…
BEAR DOWN