Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte joked Wednesday that he may be hard to find if the franchise tag is put on him before training camp next season, although he wouldn't call it an official holdout.

Forte has been seeking an extension since the preseason, and he said the two sides were far apart.

"A lot of teams franchise guys so that they can get a deal done or negotiate a deal," Forte said on "The Carmen, Jurko & Harry Show" on ESPN 1000. "It just depends on what the motive of that is."

And if Forte perceives the Bears' motive to be less than committed to an extension?

"I wouldn't say holdout, but people probably wouldn't know where I was," said Forte, who admitted there's a "pretty good chance" he'll be franchised.

Forte was easy to spot this season, leading the offense with over 1,400 yards from scrimmage through the first 12 games before a knee injury ended his season and led to the Bears losing three of their last four and missing the playoffs.

ESPNChicago.com reported the Bears' final offer to Forte contained between $13-$14 million in guarantees.

"A lot of people said do I regret turning down the money and then playing and getting injured, I would say no, because I'm not going to let anyone undervalue me as a player," Forte said. "I know what type of value I have to the team and the offense. And I'm not going to just accept a deal because that's what their offer was and they're not going to budge. I'm not going to accept that.