Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Former Bears standout willing to provide guidance for the team's new backfield, young offense

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated Jul 8, 2024 12:34 PM ET

In the NFL landscape, an easy way to tell if your franchise is on the right track or not is by the level of support shown from former legends of that particular team.

For example, look at the Houston Texans last season. After putting together a breakout season as a team in 2023, Texans legends such as J.J. Watt and Andre Johnson were quick to show their support for their former team's new-found success.

After an overhauled offseason, the Chicago Bears are starting to receive some similar attention after a few former standout players shared their excitement for the team.

During this weekend's NASCAR race in Chicago, former Bears standout running back Matt Forte served as the Grand Marshall and was joined in the press room by his former teammate Anthony “Spice” Adams taking questions from the media.

Both former players were asked about the level of excitement brewing inside Halas Hall and shared a similar sentiment for where the team is headed.

"I'm excited," Forte said. "Ryan Poles is a former teammate of mine, same draft class and just a lot of good changes. I see positive stuff that goes on. I'm looking forward to what they have in store."

"I can't wait," Adams added. "I want to see [quarterback] Caleb Williams just like everyone else. I want to go up to Halas right now and just take it all in."

Forte even took it a step further and stated that he's willing to help provide guidance to the team and will help work with the team's running backs if they reach out to him.

Matt Forte also said he's available for #Bears players to gain wisdom from him. Said he would help out with running backs.

"I'm excited for where they are growing and where they are going right now." https://t.co/S4CISsmws1
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) July 7, 2024

This is the second time Forte has made a public appearance and addressed the new changes going on with the Bears organization after also appearing on the "Up and Adams Show" with Kay Adams earlier this offseason.

"I do feel a change in the culture," Forte explained back in May. "When I retired, it was like 'thank you, see you next lifetime,' and that's no disrespect to anybody. That's the truth and if that's the truth then that's the culture that y'all live by. [Ryan Poles] knows the value of having former guys be in the building, come around, come to practice, and those things. They have always been very open and inviting all of the guys who played at a high level. When you have that, it inspires the younger guys who are coming up and want to walk in those same shoes."

"I do feel a change in the (Bears) culture." @MattForte22 on the shift in culture during his playing days to now from ownership down... @heykayadams #BearDown pic.twitter.com/aJ7COinLOG
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 22, 2024

It's great to see the organization begin recognizing all of the former greats that stepped onto Soldier Field wearing a Bears uniform and allowing them to return to Halas Hall to be a voice for the new generation. Hopefully the team can return the favor by giving their legends an exciting season worth cheering for.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: