The New York Jets lost Chris Ivory. And they also could lose Bilal Powell. But they’re set to add another big-name running back.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that the Jets have agreed to a contract with free-agent running back Matt Forte. The New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta confirmed the news moments later.
ESPN’s Ed Werder tweeted that Forte is expected to make $2 million less per season than what Ivory got from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Reports indicate Ivory received in the neighborhood of five years and $32.5 million — or $6.5 million per season — from the Jags.
Forte, 30, was released by the Chicago Bears last month after spending the first eight seasons of his career with the club. He appeared in 13 games last season, rushing for 898 yards on 218 carries. His 4.1 yards per carry was right around his career average.
Known as one of the NFL’s better pass-catchers out of the backfield, Forte tied a career-low with 44 receptions in 2015 — far short of the career-high 102 catches he had in 2014.
It’s still unclear where Powell will end up, but ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported shortly before the Forte news broke that the Jets still are in the mix, as are the Denver Broncos.
