NY Jets: Top 5 reasons why Matt Forte makes sense

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) straight arms Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The NY Jets started off free agency by acquiring running back Matt Forte. Make no mistake about it; he makes a ton of sense for a team that should return to their roots of being a true ground-and-pound football team.

It didn’t take long for the Jets to understand just how important it was to secure one of the top running backs in free agency. As news broke out that Chris Ivory would be leaving to the Jacksonville Jaguars via free agency, it left a void the Jets knew they had to fill immediately.

Forte is a smart acquisition for the Jets thanks to everything he brings to the table. Not only is a solidified threat on the ground or through the air, but he’s also a team player willing to do anything and everything for his team to be successful. As per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News via Twitter, Forte’s deal with the Jets is for three years/$8M guaranteed with $4M in escalators.

Throw in the fact that the Jets’ offense will feature his dynamic skill set; it ‘s one piece of the puzzle to continue having the team be a contender for next season and years to come. Considering that Forte might even be an upgrade over Ivory makes this move even more important for the Jets. He’s not the power running back that Ivory was as he has a knack for breaking tackles with ease and precision.

Without further adieu, here are the top five reasons why Forte makes sense for the Jets in the grand scheme of things.

Next: 5. Dual threat ready to shine

Dec 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Minnesota Vikings win 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

5. Dual threat ready to shine

It’s no secret that offensive coordinator Chan Gailey loves to utilize running backs that are hybrid threats. The kind that instills fear into opposing defenses because one never knows what their next course of action could be.

So far in his career, Forte has totaled 8,602 rushing yards on 2,035 attempts for 45 touchdowns. Forte also doubles up as a great receiving option as so far, he’s totaled 4,116 receiving yards on 487 receptions for 19 touchdowns.

Now, compared to the style of Ivory, Forte is more of a finesse running back that can effectively break tackles and run straight to the house once he gets into open space. To imagine all the great kind of offensive plays Gailey will surely draw up featuring Forte’s strengths will be amazing.

Expect to see Forte impress early and often next season for the Jets.

Next: 4. A dangerous combination awaits

Dec 19, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) runs for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

4. A dangerous combination awaits

Now at this point in time, the Jets and running back Bilal Powell still haven’t come to any agreement on a new contract as he’s still a free agent. One can only imagine the kind of damage he would do with someone like Forte helping him out of the backfield and also showing him how to hone his craft to become better.

If Powell doesn’t return to the Jets in 2016, they should still consider drafting another running back into the mix. While it wouldn’t make sense to use their No. 20 overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft on a running back, it would be smart for the Jets to grab one in the second or third round.

Whether it’s Powell or some lucky rookie that gets drafted to the Jets, a dangerous combination awaits opponents next season at running back. With Forte leading the charge, there is no doubt the Jets will return to their roots of being a true ground-and-pound football team once again when they add one more option to the mix.

Expect to see the Jets commit to more of a running-oriented offense now that Forte is ready to lead the charge.

Next: 3. The Jets are an up and coming team

Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles reacts against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

3. The Jets are an up and coming team

Thanks to a new leadership regime in general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles, the Jets are the new hot place to be. Yes, they went 10-6 last season and will be losing several of their players to free agency that helped achieve such great results, but that won’t change things dramatically.

Remember that it’s not just the players that had their hands in their results last season but also, the excellent coaching philosophies and overall new culture this new leadership regime is trying to establish. It’ll take some time, but they’re slowly but surely bringing the Jets back to not only being contenders but to be respected again across the NFL.

To achieve such results means to make smart business decisions and remind everyone that the Jets have a solid core of young and developing players to help fill in the voids left thanks to players bolting via free agency. No matter what happens, the Jets are an up and coming team which is why Forte made a smart decision coming to the big apple since he no doubt sees the potential there.

More moves will surely follow and just because the Jets will more than likely lose a handful of solid players that contributed heavily last season, everything will still be fine in the city that never sleeps thanks to Maccagnan and Bowles running the show.

Next: 2. Reuniting with an old teammate

Dec 19, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

2. Reuniting with an old teammate

Another reason the Jets acquiring Forte makes so much sense is the fact that he’ll be reuniting with an old teammate of his from the past. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall spent three seasons with the Chicago Bears as Forte was one of his partners in crime on offense.

To rekindle their magic on the Jets would be incredible as both played off each other and supported each other well during their tenure together. As Forte racked up plenty of yards as a receiving option on the Bears’ offense, he will undoubtedly rekindle his magic with Marshall on the Jets in a similar capacity.

Gailey will more than likely add this deadly combination to his arsenal via his spread offense and surprise opponents by having play-action plays designed to throw them all off. One can envision seeing Marshall and Forte lined up together as he goes into motion alongside him and start to get opponents guessing as to what could be next.

Getting another opportunity to play with an old teammate is just icing on the cake when deciding to take your talents to another team. Forte more than likely had a ton of pros to a few cons in his decision to ultimately decide on signing with the Jets. Playing again with Marshall had to have been one big positive in making his final decision.

Next: 1. The excitement of being a part of something special

Oct 4, 2015; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets fans before Game 12 of the NFL International Series between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

1. The excitement of being a part of something special

The Jets might have a completely different looking team come next season but remember, they exceeded everyone’s wild expectations last year. Remember, it wasn’t too long ago that back in 2014 the Jets went 4-12 and were one of the laughingstocks of the NFL.

They surprised the football world last season by posting a 10-6 record and getting in a position to earn a Wild Card berth in the NFL Playoffs but unfortunately fell short in their season finale against the Buffalo Bills.

Regardless, the Jets will continue to build something special over time. There is no telling just how far they could have gone last season if they were in the playoffs but if anything, it will make the Jets even hungrier to get right back into it in 2016.

More jets: Patience is key with Jets' quarterback situation

Forte will be the first big free agent acquisition the Jets make so far this offseason as he no doubt is excited to be the premier option for the Jets at running back.

It’s often seen that players with a chip on their shoulders due to not being wanted by the team that originally drafted them, tend to take off when they get picked up by another team. It will be great to see Forte soar unlike anything we’ve ever seen before but this time, in a brand new green and white uniform.

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