Benson gives Bears reason to cut him

Move Matt Forte higher on your fantasy football draft lists.

Cedric Benson has officially joined Curtis Enis and Rashan Salaam as recent Bear busts at running back. The Bears finally had enough of his lack of production coupled with his offseason antics, which most recently included his second alcohol-related arrest in a month.

The first time he was on a boat and denied being at fault. Instead of keeping his nose clean in an effort to strengthen his credibility, Benson was arrested Saturday, June 7, this time for drinking and driving in a car.

“Given the incident last month, it was a particularly bad decision. I have no excuse for this lack of judgment. Though I strongly believe that I am not guilty of any crime, I realize that the public and the Bears organization hold me to a higher standard,” Benson said in a statement picked up by media outlets.

Well, in all likelihood Benson will get off on these two drinking offenses with little repercussion and he’ll sign with another team. But I think the Bears were looking for a reason to get rid of him anyway. I think Matt Forte should shoot up fantasy draft lists, not into the first round or two, but definitely into the second- or third-tier of backs. He potentially jumps to the top of the list of rookie backs with a chance to make a significant contribution.

And Benson, well, Benson probably blew his best chance at being an NFL feature back. His value was limited before he got cut. At this point he’s a late round draftee if at all.