Matt Forte: Is Skipping Workouts a Good Move?

The Chicago Bears have started their offseason workouts and there is one notable player missing from the action. Running back Matt Forte, in a move to attempt to earn himself a new contract with the club, has decided to skip the workouts and make the Bears think hard about giving him a new contract.

But is this ever the right move for him to make? Does holding out or skipping workouts really going to get him what he wants? Does the organization lose? Does the player lose? Do both of them lose?

Forte has been trying to send messages to Bears management for almost a year now about his desire for a new contract. Chicago has pitched some new contract totals his way but he hasn’t bitten on any of what the Bears are giving him and wants more money than they are offering. Does he deserve to be among one of the highest paid running backs in the NFL?

Forte was the heart and soul of the Bear’s offense last year and was a big reason why they won as many games as they did. He’s a talented back with some mileage left on him and could become the focal point of the offense again this year. The Bears can hardly afford to be without him.

But does he deserve top running back money? Judging by what he was able to do with the Bear’s last season, Forte does deserve to be paid good money for what he has done and will continue to do with the team. The Bears need to make him a reasonable offer and get him signed up for a few more seasons and get him into these offseason workouts.

It’s important that all members of a team are present for these workouts because, despite a popular belief, there are a lot of things that happen in these workouts. Coaches start to install new systems and evaluate how players in a particular unit fit. They also get to see just how healthy a player is and whether or not they need extra conditioning or work on a previous injury.

In the Bear’s case, we have to keep something in mind. Chicago will be installing a new offensive scheme thanks to the departure of offensive coordinator Mike Martz so it would be important for Forte to be there to start picking up the new system. In Forte’s case, he is coming off of an injury and the Bears will want to make sure that he is fully healed and ready to go.

With Forte sitting on the sidelines this makes things difficult for both himself and the Bears.

So who should give in? Chicago knows that it’s going to have to pay Forte in order to have success in 2011 so it’s high time that Chicago ante up and pay him. They know they will get the utmost production out of him and should realize that their offense isn’t going to work unless he’s there and a part of it.

So in order to get Forte back in the fold quickly the Bears need to pay him good money. They can’t sit around waiting for something to happen or for Forte to change his mind. If they want to have success this season they will sign Forte to a long term deal.