Bears’ Forte lets his feet do the talking

If Matt Forte’s plan is to let his performance on the field speak for him and his desire to get a contract extension from the Bears, it’s working pretty well.

Since negotiations broke down without an agreement before the start of the regular season Forte hasn’t said much about the issue.

After rushing for a career-best 205 yards Sunday, Forte said: “The holes were there. It was wide open. There wasn’t much to say, or much to do, but run. The offensive line did a great job. We (just) had to pick the right hole to run to.”

His actions have spoken volumes.

Through four games, he should be included in any discussion of this season’s offensive MVP. His 634 yards from scrimmage are second best in the NFL, just 1 behind Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker.

Forte’s 5.4 yards per carry are sixth best in the league among running backs, and he leads the Bears by a wide margin with 26 receptions and 310 receiving yards.

Forte hasn’t said much about the awkward contract situation, but in late September he told Pro Football Weekly: “Obviously somebody doesn’t believe I’m an elite running back.”

The numbers tell a different story.

His 954 yards from scrimmage in the last six regular-season games are the most in the NFL and 190 yards more than San Diego’s Ryan Matthews, who is second.

In just his fourth season, Forte already is sixth in franchise history with 5,360 yards from scrimmage, and at his current pace will be No. 3 on the list by the end of the season, passing Hall of Famer Gale Sayers and Rick Casares, who played 10 seasons.

Forte’s teammates know how valuable he is, and how underpaid he is.

Cornerback D.J. Moore was asked if it seems like Forte should get paid based on his production this season.

“It doesn’t seem like it,” Moore said. “He NEEDS … TO … GET … PAID. He’s the best player on the team. You’ve got to do something for him.”

Forte was able to roll up 205 yards Sunday even though right guard Chris Spencer suffered a fracture in his right hand and missed the second quarter. And right tackle Frank Omiyale was benched in the second half, forcing Lance Louis to spend time at both positions.

The juggled lineup didn’t slow Forte at all.

“Matt was outstanding,” coach Lovie Smith said.

“Matt did a great job of making us look good,” center Roberto Garza said. “He’s so explosive, so fast and he makes people miss. He did a great job out there, and we’re lucky he’s on our team.”

ŸDevin Hester was named NFC special-teams player of the week after recording 142 return yards on just 2 touches.

He set an NFL record Sunday with his 11th career punt-return touchdown, a 69-yarder, against the Carolina Panthers. That came on his 182nd career punt return, and it snapped a tie with Eric Metcalf, whose 10 punt-return touchdowns came on 351 attempts.

Hester also had a 73-yard kickoff return that set up the Bears’ second touchdown.

It was the 10th special-teams player of the week award for Hester, the most ever by a return specialist.

ŸFollow Bob’s Bears reports via Twitter @BobLeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.