The Chicago Bears and running back Matt Forte have agreed to terms on a long-term contract, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The Bears had placed their franchise tag on Forte in March and the sides had until 4 p.m. ET on Monday to strike a deal. Without a long-term deal, the Pro Bowl running back would have had to play the 2012 season under the $7.749 million tender or sit out the season.
Forte sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee early in a loss to Kansas City on Dec. 4 and sat out the rest of the season.
Without Forte and quarterback Jay Cutler, the Bears struggled down the stretch and finished third in the NFC North and missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record.
Forte still got selected to his first Pro Bowl, finishing with 1,487 yards from scrimmage and 997 rushing in his fourth season. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Forte was the first Chicago running back to make it to the Pro Bowl since Neal Anderson following the 1991 season.
Forte came into last season looking for an extension, but did not reach an agreement with the Bears.
–ESPN
