Matt Forte gets his feet wet in preseason debut

The New York Jets finally got their first look at running back Matt Forte on the football field. With his performance, he looks ready for the regular season opener.

The New York Jets may have lost the Snoopy bowl trophy, but they did get to see their star running back, Matt Forte in action. It was the first time that Forte has been able to be on the field for the Jets in the preseason.

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Head coach Todd Bowles didn’t hold back either, Forte got 12 combined touches in the game. After the game he shared his thoughts, via the Media Relations Department of the Jets:

On how much potential he sees in the offense…

We have great potential. But the thing about potential is you have to reach that potential. That’s what we’re continuing to work towards. We have a lot of great talent on offense and a great playbook and a system to be in, but we have to work at it every single day to make it work.

This offense has great potential for the Jets, but they looked sloppy again against the New York Giants. Three turnovers from the quarterbacks and some general unevenness with the offensive flow.

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The running game overall had some nice moments, particularly with Bilal Powell coming in and being a change of pace guy.

Bowles gave his comments on Forte’s performance, via the Media Relations Department of the Jets:

On Matt Forte ‘getting his feet wet’

It was good for his first time out. Forte took some hits and shook off the rust from his pads. From that standpoint, it was real good.

On Matt Forte…

He looked healthy and quick. Not much production, but for him, it was about getting his feet wet and getting hit. Taking live action and just getting in there.

The highlight of the night for Forte was showing that potential that we discussed earlier. On the Jets first touchdown of the game, Forte motioned out of the backfield to the slot. Which forced the defense to switch their assignments, leaving wide receiver Eric Decker open for the back shoulder touchdown grab.

Just imagine what the Jets can do when Bilal Powell and Forte are on the field together. These combinations are going to open up the offense to unlimited possibilities.

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Looking ahead, this was Forte’s first and last preseason performance ahead of the regular season opener. The Jets are going to rest the majority of their starters in their final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.