Forte only indispensable Bears free agent
The Bears have 14 players poised to enter free agency on March 13, but running back Matt Forte is the only one considered indispensable.
When Forte's season ended Dec. 4 with a sprained knee suffered early in the horrendous 10-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he was leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage.
Despite missing most of that game and all of the next four, he still led the Bears by a wide margin with 52 receptions.
In just more than 11 games, Forte rushed for 997 yards, with a career-best 4.9-yard average on 203 carries, and he was voted to his first Pro Bowl.
Without Forte and quarterback Jay Cutler, who suffered a season-ending thumb injury two weeks earlier, the Bears lost five straight before a meaningless and unimpressive victory at Minnesota in the season finale.
Despite his status, Forte will not have the opportunity to discern his value on the open market because the Bears will either sign him to a long-term deal before the market opens or — more likely — slap the franchise tag on him.
The franchise numbers are lower across the board than they were a year ago, and a tag of $7.7 million for a running back is a bargain for the Bears and a bear for Forte.
Next up, in terms of importance, is defensive end Israel Idonije. He has developed into a solid two-way performer — solid against the run and OK as a pass rusher.
But the Bears would like more from the left-end spot than the 5 sacks they got from Idonije last season.
Considering he will turn 32 next season, his arrow may no longer be pointing up. If the Bears decide to goose their pass rush with someone else's free agent, they may not be able to afford to hold on to Idonije.
Amobi Okoye signed a one-year deal a year ago as a free agent and contributed as a backup in the defensive-tackle rotation. He also can play left end, and even though Okoye has five years' experience, he's still just 24.
Five players who have started games in the Bears' secondary are unrestricted this year.
Cornerback Corey Graham may be the most valuable of the bunch given his prowess on special teams, which earned him a trip to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl last month.
The five-year veteran has just one start since starting nine times at cornerback in 2008, but he picked off passes in three straight games last season while subbing at nickel back when D.J. Moore was injured.
Tim Jennings started the first 14 games at cornerback last season but was benched for a week in favor of Zack Bowman.
Then Jennings started the season finale after Bowman, who also is a free agent, was benched.
Bowman had started the first three games in 2010 but was benched in favor of Jennings, who started the final 13 games. Clearly the Bears have confidence issues with both players.
Safety Brandon Meriweather was signed to a one-year deal just before the start of the 2011 season after he was cut by the DB-challenged New England Patriots, who had the second-worst pass defense in the NFL.
The Bears found out why he was available when Meriweather played himself out of the lineup after four weeks as the starter at free safety.
Craig Steltz, another special-teams stalwart, started the final four games last season at strong safety and played well enough to at least be in the mix again.
On the other side of the ball, backup quarterbacks Josh McCown and Caleb Hanie were surprisingly good and surprisingly bad, respectively, after Cutler went down.
It's difficult to imagine Hanie returning as anything more than a No. 3, but since 2011 fifth-round pick Nathan Enderle remains an unknown quantity, both veterans could go to camp with the Bears.
Neither will attract much attention from other teams.
After Forte was lost, restricted free agent Kahlil Bell made the most of the opportunity, rushing for 240 yards in the final three games, although his 3 fumbles were cause for concern.
He still appears to be a better option than disappointing Marion Barber.
Tight end Kellen Davis led the Bears with 5 TD catches, even though he had just 18 receptions. He could decide he wants to go to a team that gives its tight ends more opportunities to catch the ball.
But with former NFL tight end Mike Tice replacing Mike Martz as Bears offensive coordinator, Davis could get that chance without leaving town.
Roy Williams (37 catches, 507 yards) didn't do enough to make him a priority for next season, but he did tie with Johnny Knox for the team lead in receptions by a wide receiver.
BEARS FREE AGENTS
RB Kahlil Bell*
CB Zack Bowman
TE Kellen Davis
RB Matt Forte
CB Corey Graham
QB Caleb Hanie
DE Israel Idonije
CB Tim Jennings
LS Chris Massey
QB Josh McCown
S Brandon Meriweather
DT Amobi Okoye
S Craig Steltz
WR Roy Williams
*Restricted free agent; all others are unrestricted
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