The Facts: GM Ryan Pace turned down Forte's request for an extension last offseason, and as of a couple weeks ago, the Bears were still not ready to hold any meaningful contract talks. Given this, ESPN.com's Jeff Dickerson characterizes Forte's chances of returning for 2016 "slight."

Diehards Line: Let's go ahead and file this as confirmation of news we already knew. With a $7.050 million base salary plus roster bonuses, workout bonus and incentives, the 30-year old Forte clearly wants to finish his decorated career in Chicago, but only at an acceptable price. That may not happen. "I mean, I want to return," Forte said on Dec. 23. "But if you're saying, am I hopeful that I do return? There is not much to hope for that right now because like I said, I talked to [the Bears' front office] earlier and they haven't said anything back. So there's nothing really to hope for." The presence of second-year man to be Jeremy Langford makes it easier for the Bears to part ways with the veteran.