Forte looking to turn back the clock in 1st season with Jets

This offseason, Matt Forte was allowed to leave the only franchise he's ever known, the Chicago Bears, likely because they no longer believed he was capable of being a feature back.

However, Forte said Wednesday that he's looking to turn back the clock on his career with a little help from the Jets' trainers and facilities, which were apparently determining factors in him opting to come to New York.

"That was one of the reasons for me wanting to come here, because the training room is so good," Forte told Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media. "At this point in your career, health is so important. You're not as young as you used to be, or recover as fast as you used to. But if you get the right (trainers) in there and work with them, you can turn back the time."

Forte will be working with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, who has made it clear that he won't try and force his system upon the running back, rather he'll adjust it to make sure he's comfortable.

"That's what really good coordinators do," Forte said. "... I'm looking forward to getting back into having a fullback, a lead blocker, a power-type running game," Forte said. "I see myself being used the same way I've always been used in my entire career, in the passing game and in the run game. Whether that's being split out or running routes from the backfield, we've yet to determine that. But I'm pretty sure both will be accomplished."

Forte has already racked up 2,035 carries during his eight NFL seasons and posted a career-low 898 rushing yards in 2015, so his future productivity and health will likely remain a question mark until he proves otherwise.