LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball during the NFL International Series match between Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium on October 23, 2011 in London, England. This is the fifth occasion where a regular season NFL match has been played in London. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Matt Forte is not exactly thrilled about potentially being given the franchise tag by Chicago.
During an appearance on "Rome is Burning" on ESPN Friday afternoon, Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte expressed his desire for a long-term extension with the team and said he thought it would be "cheap" of the Bears to apply the franchise tag:
"I don't want a one-year deal. I want a long-term extension. I think if they use the franchise tag that's kind of a cheap way to go out. That's not what I'm looking forward to. I want a long-term extension. I've been drafted by Chicago. I want to stay there so it's not something I'm looking forward to."
Should the Bears decide to apply the franchise tag, Forte would receive the average of the top five 2011 running back salaries for the 2012 season. The two sides agreed to shelve contract negotiations until after the season, though Forte has built up quite a bit of leverage with his performance to this point in the season. Forte is third in the NFL in rushing yardage and leads the league in yards from scrimmage.
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