CHICAGO, IL- JANUARY 03: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears shakes hands with the fans after the game against the Detroit Lions on January 3, 2016 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Lions won 24-20. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

Matt Forte is no longer a Chicago Bear, according to a post on his Instagram page.

The post reads: Despite my wishes, my days as a member of the Chicago Bears have sadly come to an end. I was informed earlier this week from the GM that they will not be attempting to re-sign me in free agency. I will remain forever grateful for my time spent in Chicago and being able to play for an organization with such a rich history. My only regret is not being able to win a Lombardi trophy for the best fans in all of sports. I’m excited about the next chapter of my NFL career. But, Chicago will always be home. God Bless and Bear Down!

The running back has been one of the Bears’ top offensive weapons since he splashed onto the scene as a rookie in 2008. The post indicates the breakup was not mutual, and the Tulane product wanted to resign with Chicago but the team informed him they will be moving on.

Forte is only 30, and is just one season removed from his best two seasons as a pro,  when he rushed for more than 1,000 yards, in addition to making 102 receptions for 808 yards receiving and 10 total touchdowns in 2014, a year after amassing 1933 yards and 12 touchdowns the year before. But a down season in 2015 and that is the life of an NFL running back.

The former second round pick battled injuries throughout the 2015 campaign, but still managed to rack up 898 yards rushing and 389 more through the air. However, the midseason emergence of backup Jeremy Langford likely made the decision to let the more expensive veteran walk in free agency easier.

Forte is second on the Bears’ all time franchise rushing list behind Walter Payton, but still had about 8,000 yards to go before catching “Sweetness.” Forte also ranks sixth on the Bears’ all time receiving yardage list. The eight-year NFL veteran will now test the waters in free agency, and hopes to sign with a team other than the Bears for the first time in his career.

About Ben Sieck

Ben is a recent graduate of Butler University where he served as Managing Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Butler Collegian. He currently resides in Indianapolis.