The Chicago Bears are heading into 2015 with a new head coach in John Fox and after reports that Jay Cutler could be traded this offseason, it looks like the quarterback will be once again starting for the Bears this season over Jimmy Clausen and this comes as the team could consider a Matt Forte trade down the line if he is unhappy with his contract situation after the drafting of Jeremy Langford.
The Bears took Kevin White with their first round draft pick this year and they are hoping he can replace Brandon Marshall, who was traded to the Jets. Cutler came up in numerous trade reports this offseason, as he was benched at one point last year in favor of Clausen. That was a last ditch effort by Marc Trestman to save his job, but overall Cutler had been struggling with turnovers and that is one area the team needs to improve. Cutler is coming into OTAs as the starter and he is expected to be the top quarterback this season.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Forte is unhappy with his contract situation and while he said that he will not hold out, the running back also added that he is looking for an extension. Forte has not been with the team for offseason workouts and while he said that he is not staying away because of his contract, things could play out that way if the Bears take a hard line. The team just had to let go of Ray McDonald and now the front office could be dealing with another situation if Forte pushes for a new deal.
Forte comes in after having a big performance in 2014 and he is headed into the final year of his contract this upcoming season. Forte is making $6.65 million and after going for over 1000 yards and making 102 catches for 808 yards, he is looking for some security with an extension and possibly a raise. Forte will be 30 by the end of the season and that also could complicate things for GM Ryan Pace.
Kevin White comes in and helped Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal on offense with Marshall gone. The writing was on the wall with Marshall, as he had has his future up in the air all season. Before he was traded, the Chicago Tribune reported that Marshall met with Fox and GM Ryan Pace and was "assured nothing" about his future with the team and clearly that was the case, as he was traded soon after.
Forte likely will stay, but there is a chance that the Bears could make a move down the line if the contract situation doesn't work out. Cutler comes in with a high salary and he signed his deal under Phil Emery for seven years and if he doesn't improve he likely will come up in talks again. Marshall came in with a base salary of over $7 million that would have been guaranteed in March and that is why the team looked at making a move. Cutler has a $15 million salary and it comes after he was the highest paid player in football last season.
