NFL Trade Rumors: Matt Forte, Vernon Davis Involved In Speculation Ahead Of 2015 Deadline

The NFL’s trade deadline is usually the least eventful of the four major sports, and it isn’t often that big names are traded during the season. But one former All-Pro has already been dealt this year, and there’s at least a chance another one will be moved before the Nov. 3 deadline.

The Chicago Bears made a few moves in the early part of the season, sending inside linebacker Jon Bostic to the New England Patriots and defensive end Jared Allen to the Carolina Panthers. With the Bears not ranking among the best NFC teams, there’s speculation that they are not done making trades.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Chicago is open to trading a lot of their top players. As the team’s top running back, Matt Forte has been involved in trade rumors. He’s rushed for 507 yards in six games this season, and he’s rushed for over 1,000 yards in five of his seven NFL seasons, including 2014. Forte could certainly help a winning team that needs help with their rushing attack.

Even though the Bears might be willing to deal him, it would be hard for them to get much value in exchange for Forte. The running back is set to make over $7 million this year, more than half of which he is still owed. Forte is in the last year of his contract, and any team that acquires him could lose him to free agency in just a few months.

Forte will be 30 years old in December, and it appears his best years are behind him. The same can be said for Vernon Davis, who has also been in the middle of trade rumors. The tight end is a two-time Pro Bowler, and he ranks sixth on the San Francisco 49ers’ all-time receiving list. But he’ll be 32 years old this season, and hasn’t been utilized much by a San Francisco team that appears to be out of the playoff race.

Davis is in the final year of his contract, and Rapoport says his future with the 49ers is “unclear.” Davis has just 12 catches for 170 yards this season, following a 26-reception season in 2014.

There’s been speculation that the Baltimore Ravens might look to trade veteran wide out Steve Smith, because the team is virtually out of the playoff race. But head coach John Harbaugh said the team won’t trade Smith, and the 36-year-old said he’d retire if he is sent to another team.

There usually aren’t more than one or two notable deals before the deadline. Last season, wide receiver Percy Harvin was dealt to the New York Jets and linebacker Akeem Ayers was sent to New England. Two years prior, the Patriots made headlines by acquiring Aqib Talib in the middle of the season.