INDIANAPOLIS — Jets running back Matt Forte announced his retirement on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old spent the final two seasons of his career with the Jets after spending most of his outstanding career with the Bears.
The Jets were expected to cut Forte in the coming weeks, but now they won’t have to. They gain $3 million in salary cap space with Forte off the books.
“For the past 10 years, I’ve been blessed to play professionally a game that I’ve loved since I was 6 years old,” Forte said in a tweet. “But after much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to retire from the NFL.”
Forte signed with the Jets in 2016, believing he was joining a contender. Instead, he endured two 5-11 seasons. He rushed for 813 yards and seven touchdowns in his first season with the Jets and 381 yards and two touchdowns last year. He was plagued by a chronic knee injury during both years.
“I’d like to thank the New York Jets organization for the past two years. My experience as a Jet was truly first rate.”
Forte will not be remembered as Jet, but for what he did in a Bears uniform. He rushed for 1,000 yards five times and caught 102 passes in 2014. Forte finished with 9,796 rushing yards, 54 rushing touchdowns, 554 receptions, 4,672 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns.
The Jets are expected to add a running back in free agency or the draft to join Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire.