Chicago Bears: 15 greatest running backs of all time

It’s only right to include the second-leading rusher in Bears’ history among the top three on this list. Matt Forte might be one of the most unappreciated running backs the league has ever seen. Playing on mostly mediocre-to-bad teams, Forte handled the load and handled it well.

Coming out of Tulane as a second-round pick back in 2008, the Bears were on the lookout for their next great back since Jones. As a rookie, he would end up with one of the best years of his career overall, rushing for 1,238 yards and eight touchdowns, while catching 63 passes for 477 yards and four scores.

That’s what made Forte great. He was, of course, a running back by nature. But, he caught passes better than most backs in the league during his career. He even set a single-season record for receptions by a running back with 102 back in 2014.

Forte never presented that elite, breakaway speed or showed freak athleticism. But, he was an incredible all-around back because of his vision and patience.

That’s where it started for him. Forte would take a handoff, wait for a half-second or so to allow his blocking to set up and find the hole. A lot of backs are always too anxious to get upfield and create for themselves without allowing their blockers to get set.

Not Forte. He was special. He saw the field, and his offensive linemen, so much better than most backs did. His intuition was second to none.