6 best landing spots for Matt Forte

Matt Forte was informed by the Chicago Bears this week that he won't be re-signed.

The perennially underrated tailback will hit unrestricted free agency in March with an impressive resume but questions about how much production he has left in his 30-year-old body.

Here are six teams that could show interest in Forte and that would likely appeal to the veteran:

New England Patriots

If not for the emergence of shifty receiving back Dion Lewis in 2015, Forte and the Patriots would look like a slam-dunk fit. Bill Belichick loves to take shots on hungry veterans seeking a ring before retirement (think Corey Dillon) and Forte is a perfect fit for the Patriots' pass-catching role previously filled by players like Shane Vereen and Kevin Faulk.

Lewis' status complicates matters, however. When healthy, Lewis can fill the receiving role at a cheaper price. But he is recovering from a torn ACL and the injury could prevent him from being as dynamic next season. If the Patriots can find a way to fit Forte under the salary cap - he'll have to be willing to play on a short-term deal at a discounted rate - he is a luxury Bill Belichick may not be able to resist.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys' rushing attack fell off in 2015 after the team allowed 2014 rushing leader DeMarco Murray to walk. There are whispers the Cowboys will try to undo that mistake by prying Murray away from the Eagles, but that looks like a pipe dream.

Forte has a similar skill set to Murray and could thrive running behind the Cowboys' exceptional offensive line. Though the Cowboys crashed to a bottom-five finish in 2015, they will be a Super Bowl contender next season with a few tweaks. If Forte wants to chase a rushing title and a ring, Dallas could be a good place to do it.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders have plenty of money to spend in free agency and a clear need at running back. Forte would be a great fit in a committee attack with Latavius Murray and would likely thrive in an offense sorely in need of a receiving threat out of the backfield.

The Raiders aren't necessarily knocking on the door of the Super Bowl, but they're not as far away as many think. Forte could help propel the team to its first playoff appearance since 2002.

Miami Dolphins

Lamar Miller is expected to depart the Dolphins in free agency after the team failed to maximize his abilities over his first four seasons as a pro. Bruising rookie runner Jay Ajayi is set to inherit a larger role, but an ideal scenario might be to pair him with a veteran tailback with a complementary set of skills like Forte's.

New Dolphins head coach Adam Gase spent 2015 as Forte's offensive coordinator in Chicago and could be eyeing a reunion that would be fruitful for both parties.

New York Jets

The Jets hit a home run with their trade for Brandon Marshall. With Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell on expiring contracts, might the Jets consider adding another Bears castoff to their roster? Signing Forte would allow the Jets to let one or both of their pending free-agent runners walk. A realistic scenario would see the Bears retain Ivory as their early-down pounder and employ Forte as an upgrade on Powell.

Adding Forte would be a win-now move from the Jets, who are already veteran-heavy on offense with Marshall, Eric Decker, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. It's rare to see NFL teams deliberately get older, but it could make sense in this case.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers made no secret of their displeasure with Eddie Lacy's 2015 campaign and are expected to let James Starks test the market. Though general manager Ted Thompson often seems allergic to splashy free-agent moves, adding Forte could be just what the Packers need to kick their offense into the next gear (and light a fire under Lacy's ample buttocks).

Forte probably wouldn't maximize his earnings in Green Bay, but perhaps the chance to get revenge on the Bears twice a year and contend for a Lombardi Trophy would be appealing enough for him to agree to a bargain deal.