Could the opportunity for a featured role in the backfield have been the swaying factor in convincing Matt Forte to sign with the New York Jets over other teams closer to Super Bowl contention?
It’s quite possible given some comments Forte made on Monday per Kimberly Jones of NFL Network, saying that the Jets see him as their “every-down back” entering the 2016 NFL season.
Matt Forte on his role with NYJ: "They see me as an every-down back."
— Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) March 14, 2016
Forte, 30, signed with the Jets last Wednesday despite noted interest from other teams such as the Green Bay Packers.
While the two-time Pro Bowler immediately vaults to the top of the Jets’ depth chart at running back, a monopoly of snaps on all three downs may be a bit wishful. The Jets just re-signed Bilal Powell, who has historically seen decent usage in passing situations, while Zac Stacy and newcomer Khiry Robinson could vie for limited short-yardage work.
Forte should still see the overwhelming majority of carries as the Jets’ new workhorse and preferred goal-line back. Though it’s easy to see why that kind of gig might have appealed to Forte after a season in Chicago spent in a timeshare with rookie Jeremy Langford, the sheer number of capable bodies in the Jets’ backfield should keep his workload from getting too out of hand.
H/T Rotoworld
