Bears general manager Jerry Angelo made clear that running back Matt Forte was the team's No. 1 priority before this season.

But, after not being able to work out a new deal, Angelo didn't sound like a man ready to initiate another round of talks anytime soon.

"There really is nothing new," Angelo said before Monday's kickoff against the Detroit Lions. "I think we did our very best.

"Right now, our focus is on the season."

Angelo made clear that the Bears wanted to sign Forte to an extension, because of his talent, so his strong start doesn't surprise him.

Last week, Forte's agent Adisa Bakari told me that the longer this process drags on, the more difficult a new deal becomes.

"We've stated from the very beginning that the longer we wait, the more difficult and complicated it becomes," Bakari told me. "Matt, to date, is performing at an ultra-elite level, and that's an indisputable reality."

Here's a link to my column from last week.