Matt Forte to Patriots in NFL free agency – rumors no longer make sense

For those who were hoping Matt Forte would become Shane Vereen on steroids for the Patriots (all assuming Shane Vereenwasn’t on steroids during his time in New England), you’re probably going to be disappointed when NFL free agency begins in mid-March.

All signs are starting to point to the Patriots not going after the versatile Forte, who will command big dollars on the free agent market.

This week, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported that there was mutual interest in a LeGarrette Blount – Patriots reunion. With Dion Lewis set to return, it would appear that the Pats will soon have their running back quota filled due to the fact that they don’t normally value the position too high.

Apparently the Bears don’t value the position too high either, as they didn’t even negotiate with Forte on a new contract. Chicago believes it can get by with “younger, cheaper running backs” in Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey – according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported this week that some NFL executives aren’t even sure that Forte can get a short-term deal at $4-5 million per season. Given the Patriots’ past, even those relatively low figures probably won’t entice them.

Lewis’ base salary in 2016 will be $800,000 and $1.2 million in 2017, but he can make up to $4.8 million during that time, according to ESPN. That might just be too much money tied up in position that the Patriots don’t really care for.