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Matt Forte: Five Possible Destinations as a Free Agent

By Joel Childers

Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs off the field after the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The Lions won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs off the field after the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The Lions won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers fans cheer during the game against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers fans cheer during the game against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Carolina Panthers

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

The Carolina Panthers were the best offense in the league last season, and had the No. 2 rushing attack, so running back probably isn’t an area of need right? Wrong.

Jonathan Stewart had a very good year this year, proving he can be the top back with DeAngelo Williams gone but he saw more carries than he ever has before, and was unable to stay healthy all year, something that he’s always struggled with. The team certainly isn’t likely to part ways with Stewart, but they also may want to give him some relief by means of signing another back.

Mike Tolbert, Cameron Artis-Payne, and Fozzy Whitaker all saw shares of the offense, but none of them are dominant enough to truly be a second option at running back. When Jonathan Stewart went down for part of Super Bowl 50 with a foot injury, the Panthers had to turn to these guys to carry the ball. Tolbert responded by fumbling twice, one of which was a huge turning point in the game.

Carolina needs to find Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart some help on the ground, and that could come in the form of Matt Forte. The team’s running backs combined for only 51 receptions in 2015, a number Forte has reached on his own six times in his career. When under pressure from Denver’s pass rush in the Super Bowl, Cam Newton may have benefitted from a running back he could dump the ball off to.

I expect Carolina to do something to add another weapon out of the backfield this offseason, and Matt Forte could be just what the doctor ordered. He could be more than just a role-player, but he could also fit the niche of third-down/pass-catching back for the team. The issue will be the amount Forte is looking for, but if he’s hoping to win a championship, Carolina could be the perfect spot for him.

Next: Moving Out West?

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