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The headlines in Chicago early Saturday were hailing the arrival Julius Peppers after the former Panthers standout and Bears agreed to terms on a six-year deal to bring the top free agent available in this year's market to Chicago.

As well they should have; it's a huge deal.

But from a Fantasy perspective, Peppers' signing wasn't the top story of the day. It's not even the top story in Chicago. Indeed, for Fantasy owners, the biggest news emanating from the Windy City on Friday was the deal struck with Chester Taylor.

Taylor told reporters the Bears' potential to contend for a Super Bowl is one of the reasons he signed a four-year contract with the team on Friday.

"The Bears seem like they have a great opportunity to go to the Super Bowl," Taylor said upon arrival in Chicago. "I want to go to a team that could contend for the Super Bowl."

I suspect, however, there's more to it than that. And I'm not alone.

According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the former Minnesota Vikings running back agreed to a $12.5 million deal, with $7 million guaranteed in the first year. With that kind of money up front, questions about Matt Forte's grip on the lead back role come immediately to mind.

Taylor said he wasn't sure if he'll get the opportunity to start in front of Forte.

"I'm just coming in, competing," he said.

While that's undoubtedly "the correct answer," it might not be the most accurate.

Certainly, Matt Bowen of the National Football Post seems to believe otherwise in advising his readers: "Taylor will most likely come into camp this summer as the club’s No. 1 back, reducing Forte to a backup role."

We all realize how teams benefit from the availability of two backs that can produce within the system. The system in Chicago will now be that of incoming offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

And it does place certain demands on the running back.

Remember: Marshall Faulk caught more than 80 passes a season in Martz's system and had nine receiving touchdowns in 2001. General manager Jerry Angelo told reporters on Friday that Martz will be responsible for setting the backfield rotation.

Taylor, who had 338 yards rushing in 2009 for Minnesota, has caught 89 passes the past two seasons, which is an important quality in Martz's scheme.

Forte has also proven to be an enough receiver in his first two seasons as a pro, pulling in 57 passes for 471 yards in 2009 and 63 for 477 in his first season. That's 120 catches in his first two seasons.

But there are concerns.

Forte, who had arthroscopic knee surgery last month, is coming off a disappointing 2009 campaign in which he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry, down from his 3.9-yard average as a rookie. He finished with 929 rushing yards on 258 carries as the Bears ranked 29th in the league.

As the Sports Xchange recently suggested, however, the real worry was Forte's failure to show the quickness and speed he exhibited as a rookie. Minus that explosive burst, Forte simply isn't big or strong enough to push the pile.

While nagging injuries were an issue -- and the O-line didn't give him much room, Forte's body of work last season had to be a major factor in Taylor's arrival.

Taylor hasn't been a full-time starter since 2006 when he rushed for 1,216 yards on 303 carries in his first season with the Vikings. But Bowen reminded readers that Martz’s backs have to pass protect -- something that Taylor has shown the ability to do throughout his career.

The third-down routes he was catching from Brett Favre in Minnesota become first and second-down routes under Martz.

Bowen adds that Taylor will get the ball deep in the backfield in the running game with ample time to cut back and find a hole.

Plus, with Martz, running backs are used creatively. He will align Taylor away from the formation -- almost as a slot WR -- where he can put him in favorable matchups and get him the football in open space.

So, as Bowen summed up: "Chicago can get the value they paid up front for Taylor, and in Martz’s system -- along with QB Jay Cutler -- his numbers should reflect an upgrade for Chicago. Forte will still see the ball, but when the Bears need a play and want to create those mismatches, Taylor should be in the lineup. ..."

So in addition to the scheme, Taylor's skill set and Forte's less-than-stellar sophomore season all pointing in that general direction, I'll remind you again the money is also talking.

As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio put it: "Taylor contract suggests that he's the top man on the totem pole and that Forte is now the secondary player."

I should note that dissenting opinions aren't hard to find.

Chicago Tribune columnist Dan Pompei made it clear this morning that he believes the Bears paid too much for a running back who splits time. And, Pompei added, "that really is all Taylor should be expected to do. That's all he has done for all but one year of his eight NFL seasons."

Pompei contends this isn't the stage of his career where anyone should expect Taylor to do something he never has done before.

Pompei explained: "Taylor may have low miles on his odometer, but he will be 31 in September.

"And Taylor already is showing signs of decline, according to two scouts who studied him."

While it's true that Taylor's 2009 yards per carry weren't much better than Forte's, I still believe the newcomer's contract is a pretty good indication he'll be given every opportunity to make a significant contribution working in tandem with Forte.

As to which player takes the lead role?

On this, I agree with Pompei, who believes the competition between Taylor and Forte should bring out the best in both. And it's something Fantasy owners will have to follow closely throughout the offseason. ...

Meanwhile, getting the Bears' other moves on the record. ... Peppers' contract is worth $91.5 million with $42 million guaranteed. Peppers will make $40.5 million over the first three years.

The number could increase if he makes the Pro Bowl, records a certain number of sacks or is defensive player of the year.

The team also signed tight end Brandon Manumaleuna away from the Chargers.

According to the Tribune, Manumaleuna's signing does not spell the end of Greg Olsen's Bears career, however, but it does cast doubt on the status of veteran tight end Desmond Clark.

The 6-2, 295-pound Manumaleuna began his career in St. Louis playing for Martz.