Yeah, but - at the beinning of the year I said the Bears ought to trade both Cutler and Forte for top tier offensive linemen - because they have proven themselves fragile - and they always WILL be, and this will become more and more evident with the passage of time.

A perfect offseason for Forte would include long-term deal But Bears more likely to put franchise tag on running back By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter: January 2, 2012 As Matt Forte stuffed belongings into a plastic bag at his Halas Hall locker Monday morning, it was with the knowledge he'll be back. Not all of his teammates could leave with the same security. The question for Forte, who will be an unrestricted free agent, is if he gets a long-term contract or general manager Jerry Angelo places the franchise tag on him. There isn't an Option C. The Bears broke off talks with Forte before the regular season and despite sporadic communication with agent Adisa Bakari, the sides never approached common ground during the year. The Bears seem to be in a position where they will be unlikely to raise their offer, while he says his value is enhanced after his first Pro Bowl season. These sides appear entrenched once again. Angelo has maintained all along the Bears made a spirited effort to sign the 2008 second-round draft pick. "Of course he is going to say that," Forte said. "He can say whatever he wants to say about effort and all that stuff, but it didn't get done. We'll see what happens." Bakari represents NFL 2011 rushing champion Maurice Jones-Drew and is in a position to create a niche where he's a go-to agent for top running backs. But with the franchise tag that will pay running backs $7.8 million in 2012, the Bears have leverage. Forte wouldn't talk specific numbers about what he's seeking, but a good place to begin has to be the $43 million, five-year contract the Panthers gave DeAngelo Williams last summer. It included $21 million guaranteed. The difference? Carolina placed its franchise tag on center Ryan Kalil and Williams was truly unrestricted. "We weren't even close to (Williams' contract)," Forte said. "But, now my agent even told them, the longer we wait, the harder it is going to be to do. I thought my value was pretty high before then, but obviously making the Pro Bowl this year, for some people who didn't think I was a Pro Bowl player or wasn't that type of player, the value goes up." Forte said he doesn't believe the sprained MCL in his right knee that led him to miss the final four games will impact negotiations. "I didn't have surgery, I don't have to have surgery, there is nothing wrong with my knee," he said. "It is actually healing up pretty well so I don't think that does anything." He's not sure how he will react if the Bears do tag him. "It's just the end of the season," he said. "I have no idea." He could have the entire offseason to ponder it. bmbiggs@tribune.com Twitter @BradBiggs Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune