Matt Forte says his Chicago Bears career is done, so what’s next?

Matt Forte wanted to return to the Chicago Bears. He wasn’t in the team’s plans.

So with that, Forte will move on. He was scheduled to be a free agent and the team told him this week that it won’t attempt to re-sign him, Forte said on his Instagram account. He announced that his time with the Bears is done and thanked the fans:

That wraps up a very good career for Forte in Chicago.

With 8,602 yards, Forte is second all-time in Bears history to just Walter Payton. He also had 4,116 yards receiving as one of the most versatile backs in the NFL. Jeremy Langford got a chance to play more when Forte was out last season with an injury, and he did a solid job. Langford was good enough that the Bears didn’t want to invest again in Forte, who made a little more than $7 million last season. So Forte is done with the Bears after eight productive seasons.

Forte’s next move will be interesting. He is 30 years old with 2,035 career carries, so no team will be giving him a huge contract. But he can be a valuable asset for a team in the short term. He has averaged at least 4 yards per carry in five of the last six seasons, and the exception was when he averaged 3.9 yards per carry in 2014. A team like the Dallas Cowboys, with their great offensive line, would be a fantastic fit. The Detroit Lions could use a veteran running back to boost their running game. The New England Patriots could use an upgrade from LeGarrette Blount, and Forte’s versatility would be welcomed in that offense.

Forte should have a lot of enticing options when he hits free agency. And unless there’s a huge U-turn in Chicago, he will hit free agency. It’s a reminder that nothing is forever in the NFL.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab