He thought about it but in the end Matt Forte made the decision to show up for training camp.

The Chicago Bears running back is angling for a new contract and considered being a holdout, a move that might not have expedited the process as the franchise has a longstanding policy of not negotiating with players who aren’t present for work.

“(A holdout) was a consideration,” Forte said. “I had to weigh my options. I thought about it. I kind of got my mind put to ease by (general manager) Jerry (Angelo). He had been in talks with my agent since the end of the lockout and even before that, and he kind of said that a deal would get done. He assured us repeatedly that a deal would get done. Where I’m from and how I was raised, when somebody gives you their word that goes a long way.”

How soon is soon?

“What (Angelo) told me was that a deal will get done,” Forte said. “He said I am a priority of his. Hopefully that means soon.”

Surely, Forte is taking a good close look at the $43 million, five-year contract DeAngelo Williams received from the Carolina Panthers and he’s saying that would look pretty good. Williams received $23 million guaranteed.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune