The New York Jets signed Matt Forte as a free agent to help replace running back Chris Ivory. While the former Bears' running back is getting old, Forte has the chance to be a stud for the Jets during the 2016 season.
Forte has proven to be one of the best running backs during the course of his career, leading the league in all-purpose yards since coming into the NFL. The Bears opted not to re-sign Forte to a contract, favoring Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey for next season. The Jets used Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell as their main backs last season, but with Ivory now with the Jaguars, Forte has the chance to be the lead back for the team.
Forte has been a durable and consistent running back during his career in Chicago, and while he is 30, he has the chance to be a major contributor next season. Forte rushed for 898 yards last season, his lowest total in his Chicago career, but he still managed to average more than four yards per carry. Forte is one of the best in the league at catching the ball out of the backfield, and he added 44 receptions last season for the Bears.
Forte has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in three of the past four seasons and has combined for more than 200 receptions in the last three. Forte has only missed four games in the last four seasons, and that durability will make him a good option for the Jets. The team puts a focus on the running game, and as long as Forte stays healthy, he should be productive.
The running back said that he is hoping the Jets will re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in free agency. Fitzpatrick had a strong season for the Jets last year, but the team has not yet been able to reach an agreement with the quarterback. The Jets reportedly have met with Robert Griffin III this offseason and could sign him if things don't work out with Fitzpatrick.
"Based off last year's production, and the way Brandon [Marshall] has talked about the chemistry he's built with Ryan, I would expect and hope it would be him, just based off what they had last year," Forte said.
Griffin has some potential as a starting quarterback in the NFL, but after the way things went in Washington the past couple years, the Jets would be wise to stay away from RG3. There is a chance that Griffin could develop back into the player he was in 2012 when he won Rookie of the Year, but that is a big risk for a team that wants to make the playoffs. Fitzpatrick is a better option, and after throwing for a career-best 31 TDs last season, the Jets should bring him back.
