Imrem: Forte deserves more than Bears could offer
Run, Matt, run.
As fast as you can, young man, run toward playing for a championship contender. Run toward the chance to do something special in a Super Bowl. Run toward impressing enough people on the NFL's biggest stage to be noticed for Hall of Fame consideration.
Let the rest of us not mourn Matt Forte's departure from the Bears but instead celebrate his journey toward a better place.
Trust me, this isn't just another rant against the Bears, who are rebuilding under general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox.
It's just that the process might not be complete by the time Forte is eligible for the Hall of Fame next decade.
Some analysts like to point out how often an NFL team rallies from a record like 6-10 to make the postseason the next year.
In the Bears' case, they missed the playoffs the past five seasons, which represent a lifetime in the NFL.
Or for Forte, most of a career.
The Bears could turn it around in 2016. JJ Watt and Von Miller could walk through that door in Halas Hall.
And the "Beverly Hillbillies" might vacation this summer at "Downton Abbey."
Matt Forte is better off leaving his heart in Chicago and taking his game to New England, Green Bay, or some other contender.
Forte deserved more here than one postseason, two postseason games and one postseason victory during his eight seasons as a Bears' running back.
Even at age 30, Forte has time left to make a Super Bowl and embellish his resume.
Ryne Sandberg in the 1980s is a good frame of reference for situations like this.
Sandberg wasn't as fortunate as Forte to hit free agency late in his career because the Cubs offered him contracts and he accepted them.
Finally, Sandberg retired without playing in a World Series because, as you might have heard, the Cubs haven't played in one since 1945.
By the way, that was 14 years before Sandberg was born.
Mark Grace, no Hall-of-Famer like Sandberg, was luckier because the Cubs let him go and enabled him to win a World Series with the Diamondbacks.
Think of all the Chicago athletes who played here too long and retired without winning a championship.
We're talking about local legends like Dick Butkus, Ernie Banks, Gale Sayers, Jerry Sloan and too many Blackhawks to mention.
Forte at least now has an opportunity to match his individual achievements with the ultimate team achievement.
Not to bash Jay Cutler again, at least not intentionally, but Forte might hook up with a more accomplished quarterback like Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, Tom Brady in New England, Russell Wilson in Seattle or Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh.
Of course, Forte instead could chase bigger bucks in a bigger contract in some last outpost that is down like Tennessee or out like Cleveland.
What a shame it would be for Forte to settle for that. The way he played here, he deserves more than just money to top off his career.
Forte professes to love Chicago but he can stay here and play elsewhere or go elsewhere and come back here.
The Bears did Forte a favor by declining to re-sign him because he doesn't need to keep banging his head against Halas Hall walls and opposing defenders all at the same time.
So run, Matt, run and try to win that precious Super Bowl ring.
In the meantime, send thank-you cards to Ryan Pace and John Fox for providing you with the opportunity.
mimrem@dailyherald.com