Chicago Bears: Five All-Time Greatest Running Backs

Number Three: Matt Forte

Sep 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) rushes the ball against Buffalo Bills cornerback

(21) during the second half at Soldier Field. Buffalo Bills defeat the Chicago Bears 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

While the team has not always had the most success during his tenure, current Bears’ running back Matt Forte is easily one of the greatest backs in the history of the franchise. Taken as a bit of an after-thought in the second round (44th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft, Forte has gone on to have an incredible career.

In a year where five running backs ended up going in the first round (Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Felix Jones, Rashard Mendenhall and Chris Johnson), it was the second-rounder in Forte who ended up having the best career. Forte has become one of the best backs in the league by using an incredibly balanced skill-set.

Forte’s ability to do one thing or another does not particularly stand out, but he does everything very well. He has enough speed to run to the outside, enough strength and power to make a difference inside and is one of the best receiving backs in the NFL.

His 7,704 career rushing yards is good for second in Bears’ history, while his 443 receptions are the second-most for any position in team history. Forte really is the jack-of-all-trades, and while his best days may be behind him, he is going to go down as one of the greats. Not bad for a second-round pick.

Next: Number Two