Matt Forte Stares Into Uncertain Future: 'I Can Be Back' With Bears
By Chris Emma
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) – All that remained in Bears running back Matt Forte's locker on Monday was a cut-off T-shirt. His familiar No. 22 was on the back and above the numbering, it stated one word.
Workhorse.
If Sunday marked Forte's final game in a Bears uniform, perhaps this shirt serves as the greatest reminder of his eight years in Chicago. Forte has rushed for 64 touchdowns in his career, good for third in franchise history, but that shirt stands for a lot more.
"All my hard work, blood, sweat and tears are in this shirt," Forte said.
Forte walked off Soldier Field after Sunday's season-ending 24-20 loss to the Lions knowing that could be his final game as a Bears running back, as he's set to become a free agent. He took time to greet fans and shake hands, then walked off through the tunnel.
Following that, Forte addressed the media about his Bears career and spoke of fond memories in Chicago, then left the stadium. He returned to Halas Hall on Monday to clean out his locker and found reporters waiting once again. He chuckled at the feeling in the room.
"There's a lot of stuff that can happen," Forte said. "Everybody's acting like it's a going-away party, a funeral. But no decisions have been made yet. I can be back."
Of course, as Forte said this, a teammate walked by and yelled, "I love you, Matt." Bears players are prepared for the possibility that Forte moves on.
Forte has been the leading example of work in the Bears' locker room – ask just about any player and that's what they'll say.
"I played with a lot of awesome players and future Hall of Famers," Bears guard Matt Slauson said Sunday. "But, Matt, to me, is the absolute best."
Among the many difficult decisions ahead for Bears general manager Ryan Pace is deciding what's next for the 30-year-old Forte's future. He's proved worthy of being back in a Bears uniform, though the team has options in Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey and can save money by signing a cheaper back to the rotation instead of Forte.
That shirt in Forte's locker was more than a memory of the past and his efforts to stay productive into the age of 30. Forte's hope is to be back with the Bears and work in that shirt some more.
"You see how tattered and beat up it is," Forte said. "It's not like me, I'm still good."
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.