Matt Forte won’t return to Bears: Patriots should chase

Star running back Matt Forte posted on his Instagram Friday morning that he will not be returning to the Chicago Bears this season. The New England Patriots should waste no time in devising a way to bring Forte to New England.

Even at age 30, Forte offers plenty of upside for the Patriots. He is the rare running back who brings power between the tackles but can also be a real threat catching passes out of the backfield. Forte is only one year removed from a 2014 season that saw him receive 102 passes for 808 yards.

Of course, the concern with Forte is his age. Once a running back hits 30, reasonable doubts arise around his longevity and effectiveness. But Forte hasn’t showed enough signs for this writer to think he’s washed up.

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Keep in mind that over the course of eight years in the league, Forte has missed just eight regular season games. He’s a tough, durable player who still has a few solid seasons left in the tank.

Assuming LeGarrette Blount gets left by the wayside in free agency, the Patriots are going to direly need another back on their roster. Just imagine a backfield of Forte, Dion Lewis, James White and Brandon Bolden (and C.J. Prosise). The slipperiness of Lewis, dependability of White and star power and veteran presence of Forte would give the Patriots one of the most diverse and dangerous backfields in the NFL.

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Oh, and I’m sure Forte would entertain joining the Patriots in his twilight years. No other team provides a better opportunity, year in and year out, to earn a Super Bowl ring than the Patriots.