Lovie: No Problem With Forte's Comments

(WSCR) At the NFL meetings in Florida on Wednesday, Lovie Smith addressed the media and Matt Forte's contract situation.

Smith was adamant that he had no ill feelings toward his running back and that Forte was simply going through the negotiating processes.

"We have grown men that make decisions on how they want to handle situations," Smith said. "I don't get too deep into that. I look at the offseason as a time to negotiate. You do it different ways. Matt has been here a long time and he doesn't feel good about his contract situation, so he voiced that. It's no more than that.

"This is a part of the process. Matt is going through the process, which he should. He has people representing him. He hasn't missed anything we've ever done."

Though Forte has publicly voiced his displeasure with the franchise tag he received from the Bears, Smith is confident the two sides will work out an agreement that is mutually beneficial.

"My glass is always half-full," Smith said. "Of course, I'm optimistic. Everything you've ever heard from us is that Matt Forte is our running back. In the offseason, negotiations go on - that's the time for guys to take care of their contract situation. That's where we're at right now."

Forte's frustration became public after the Bears signed running back Michael Bush to a four-year deal worth $7 million in guaranteed money. Still, Lovie said the move was not made as an insurance policy in case Forte holds out.

"No, you're trying to improve your ball club," Smith said. "It's a 53-man roster, 61-man roster if you count the practice squad guys. That's what we're trying to do. We lost a good player in Marion Barber. We wanted to replace him with a good player. We did that with Michael Bush."

Smith Impressed With Marshall

Count Lovie Smith as one of Brandon Marshall's biggest fans.

The Bears head coach said Marshall is a "perfect match" for the Bears.

"To get a guy like Brandon Marshall, a guy who has done it in the league against us at Soldier Field, we have guys on inside that have been in the meeting room with him in Jeremy Bates, a guy that has played with him in Jay Cutler, and of course, all of our players have played against him," Smith said. "When I think about Chicago Bear football, I thought he would be the perfect match. I know he can catch a football, but I'm talking about a big, physical presence, blocking. To me, he was a perfect fit for us."

In:
• Lovie Smith
• Matt Forte