If the sides don't put together a contract extension soon, the next development in the Matt Forte contract saga could take place next Monday when the league allows teams to apply the franchise tag to players. Teams can apply the tag from Feb. 20 through Mar. 5 at 4 p.m. ET as a method of preventing a player from exploring the open market. Team president Ted Phillips and general manager Phil Emery haven't said the team's intention is to apply the tag, but the former made it clear the team won't let Forte test free agency, which begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. "We'd like to (sign Forte to a new deal)," Phillips told "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "But as Phil (Emery) pointed out we obviously will at least consider placing the franchise tag on him. We don't have any intention of letting Matt hit the open market. We'll sit down with him privately -- Phil will -- and discuss what the plans are prior to the Feb. 20 franchise tag date." Read more: http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7575247/chicago-bears-give-matt-forte-franchise-tag-monday
