Chicago Bears: A Matt Forte Trade Should Not Happen

The last time a running back played his entire career with the Chicago Bears was Neal Anderson. From 1986-93, Anderson played 116 games and rushed for a career total 6,166 yards with 51 rushing touchdowns, and 31 fumbles. He was 29 when he retired as a Bear.

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With rumors swirling around that Bears running back, Matt Forte is a potential bargaining chip for a top draft pick,

it is important to dispel this rumor. Forte reached a career total 8,071 rushing yards at the end the Week 4 game against the Oakland Raiders. He now holds the second most rushing yards in Bears history. That is why a Matt Forte trade should never happen.

Forte’ turned 30 years old earlier this year and is primed to reach over 1,000 rushing yards again this season. He has played eight years for the Bears and displays no sign of slowing down. However, his legacy is tied to Chicago. He stands among the great running backs, such as Neal Anderson, Gale Sayers, and Walter Payton. To allow him to finish his career on another team would be sacrilege.

It’s bad enough that Bears fans have to see Charles “Peanut” Tillman wearing a Carolina Panthers uniform but to envision such a sight on Forte’ would cause a shift in the cosmos.

Oct 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) breaks free from Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) as Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller (86) blocks during their game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

If the Chicago Bears want to win games this season, as head coach John Fox has eluded to, then they need to keep Forte on the roster at least for the remainder of the season. Forte has only reached half of what Walter Payton had in rushing yards, (16,726), but at the age of 30, Payton rushed for 1,684 yards and 11 touchdowns, his second best record of his career.

Under offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Forte’ will have his best season yet and he should be allowed to finish it wearing a Bears uniform. It is obvious that he wants the same thing as he addressed the trade rumors on CBS Sports Radio’s Tiki and Tierney:

“I think it’s funny,” Forte said. “The media, I don’t know. I guess they start to speculate and then they report it as news and it takes off. That’s how news gets more and more views, likes and listens, I guess. So they were speculating when the draft was coming up this past offseason that I was going to be traded then and nothing happened. So I can only control how I play on the football field. I don’t really worry about it. I just think it’d be crazy to trade me anyways.”

Forte’ fully understands this is a business, but he also understands that in this business the objective is to win games. It is not in the best interest for the Bears to let the season go just for a top draft pick.

It is the responsibility of the entire organization to desire and pursue a win every weekend, and in order for that to happen, Forte’ must be on the team, especially when he has earned it. Forte’ should not be traded for the simple reason that his legacy deserves to stay in Chicago, and the Bears organization needs to make sure it happens.

Do you agree that Matt Forte’ should finish his career in Chicago? Let us know what you think!

Next: Is Forte one of the NFL's most important players?

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