The Bears plan to use the franchise tag on running back Matt Forte next offseason, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Forte was chosen in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft and is earning a $600,000 base salary in the final year of his rookie contract.
The Tulane product was selected with the 44th overall pick and has rushed for 3,908 yards and 20 touchdowns, with 209 receptions for 1,914 yards and eight touchdowns out of the backfield.
Through seven weeks in 2011, Forte leads the NFL with 1,091 yards from scrimmage.