File this under the what-could-have-been category.

Last April, in the days leading up to the NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints hosted a visit with Tulane RB Matt Forte. The Saints met with him, interviewed him, studied him and even considered him on the first day of the draft. But ultimately, the Saints decided their defensive needs were greater. Plus, they already had a young running back from Chicago, Pierre Thomas.

And the Bears absolutely loved Forte — had him graded as one of the, if not the, top running back in the draft. Chicago thought Forte was a first-round talent it was fortunate enough to land in round two.

Now Forte will lead the Bears against Thomas and the Saints on Thursday night in Chicago.

But any Saints fan now has to wonder how nice it might have been to have Forte as the logical successor to Deuce McAllister, who could be spending his final season with New Orleans.

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