Bears' Matt Forte 'not holding grudge,' intends to participate in OTAs

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte clarified his decision to miss the team's voluntary minicamp practice, disputing the theory his absence from this week's three-day session at Halas Hall that started Tuesday was related to his soon-to-be expiring contract.

Forte, seeking to "set the record straight," also said in a post on Instagram that he intends to participate in offseason organized team activities (OTAs) and the mandatory minicamp in June.

"If the Bears want to give me a contract ext. they will; if they don't they won't. I'm not mad or holding a grudge. I don't operate like that," Forte said in an extended statement:

Forte is slated to earn a 2015 base salary of $7.05 million and count $9.2 million against the Bears' salary cap in 2015. The running back's deal also includes a potential $1.05 million in per-game bonuses and a $100,000 workout bonus.

"Look, it's voluntary, it's a new CBA," Bears coach John Fox said at Tuesday's workouts, referring to the league's labor deal. "I know where he is, I know what his thoughts are. I'm not going to share them with the world. I prefer he'd be here just like any player, but I understand this is the offseason, and when guys have things they have to take care of or commitments they've made, this is the time to do it. They can't be doing it in-season."

Forte led the Bears in rushing yards (1,038) and receptions (102) last year and is tops in the league in yards from scrimmage (11,431) and is third in rushing yards (7,704) since 2008.

Forte's teammates voted him the veteran recipient of the 2014 Brian Piccolo Award.

Forte did not attend the awards ceremony held Tuesday morning at Halas Hall but forwarded his remarks to Bears board member Patrick McCaskey.