Pending free-agent RB Justin Forsett says he would love to stay with Ravens

FOXBOROUGH, MASS. — Standing inside the visitors locker room Saturday night, running back Justin Forsett expressed hope that the playoff loss to the New England Patriots won't be the last time he plays for the Ravens.

Following a breakthrough season during which he rushed for a career-high 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns, Forsett is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. He played this season under a one-year, $730,000 contract for the veteran minimum.

"I'm blessed to have the opportunity to show what I can do," Forsett told The Baltimore Sun. "It's been a long time coming and I just want to build on it. I would love to stay here and be a Raven, but there's a business part of that. I've experienced a lot of the business side of it, but hopefully we can get something done."

Under the NFL's collective bargaining agreement rules governing free agents, Forsett isn't eligible to sign a new contract with the Ravens until free agency officially begins in March. Both sides are motivated to talk and explore a potential new deal, according to sources, but nothing has accelerated at this stage.

"Patience, I'm OK with that," said Forsett, who replaced Ray Rice after the Ravens cut the three-time Pro Bowl running back in the fallout from his domestic violence incident. "I've had to do that a lot in my career. Nothing is promised. I've been told a lot of things in my career. My thing is to just be patient and let God sort the rest out."

Forsett rushed for 129 yards on 24 carries against the Patriots and scored on a 16-yard touchdown reception.

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"I'm proud of the way we responded to adversity," Forsett said. "I think the sky's the limit for us."

Here's a look at some of the running back deals signed in 2014:

1. Chris Johnson, New York Jets, two years, $8 million

2. Ben Tate, Cleveland Browns, two years, $6.2 million

3. Rashad Jennings, New York Giants, four years, $10 million

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4. Knowshon Moreno, Miami Dolphins, one year, $3 million

5. Maurice Jones-Drew, Oakland Raiders, three years, $7.5 million.

6. Donald Brown, San Diego Chargers, three years, $10.5 million

7. LeGarrette Blount, Pittsburgh Steelers, two years, $3.85 million

8. Anthony Dixon, Buffalo Bills, three years, $3.5 million

awilson@baltsun.com

twitter.com/RavensInsider

Pending free-agent RB Justin Forsett says he would love to stay with Ravens

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