National Football League

Forte sees big role with Jets, hopes Fitzpatrick re-signs

Published Mar. 14, 2016 2:48 p.m. ET

foxsports

NEW YORK (AP) Newly signed Jets running back Matt Forte envisions having a big role in New York's offense and hopes quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick re-signs so the team can build off its 10-6 season.

Forte signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Jets last week after spending his first eight NFL seasons with Chicago. He says he was ''surprised'' the Bears declined to offer him even a ''mid- to low-range'' deal in free agency.

Forte is 30, an age at which NFL running backs typically begin to decline, but he says the Jets talked to him about being ''an every-down back.''

He adds that the Jets were among about five teams to show interest, but he picked New York because of its ''really good defense'' and its consistent offense, which ''I know Fitzpatrick will be a big part of that, too.''

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