All the contract discussions lately center on Roquan Smith. The Chicago Bears are trying their best to juggle the demands of their star linebacker. He sure isn’t making it easy with his erratic behavior, including a trade demand and now rumors of a non-NFLPA-certified “representative” contacting teams about possible interest. That is against the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Just one mess after another. Smith’s saga makes it easy to forget he isn’t the only one looking for a new deal. So is David Montgomery.
Unlike his teammate, the running back hasn’t made a peep on the subject the entire off-season. When asked about it, he’s demurred, stating those things will work themselves out. Another reminder of the team-first guy he is. Montgomery feels if he continues playing well, the money will be there. That is an excellent mindset to have. The question is whether the Bears are already working on a possible deal. That is where it gets complicated. ESPN insider Dan Graziano provided an interesting update.
“Montgomery is a really good player, but it says something that the team hasn’t yet made a move to give him a contract extension heading into his fourth season. And all of the “feel-good” stories about him playing special teams in camp are a bit of an alarm bell to me. If he’s the starting running back and the long-term answer at the position, would Chicago really playing him on special teams in camp?
My sense is the Bears want to see Montgomery in the new offense before committing to him, and hey, maybe he clicks. But Khalil Herbert and even rookie sixth-round pick Trestan Ebner could be threats to any potential lead role for Montgomery.”
This is a tough situation for David Montgomery.
He is one of those players who benefits the least from a new regime. While head coach Matt Eberflus sang his praises a few weeks ago, the reality is GM Ryan Poles didn’t draft the running back. Luke Getsy is bringing in a new offense, the outside-zone. Such a scheme requires a runner to have good vision, strong cutting ability, and burst. Nobody would say that is the strength of Montgomery’s game.
He is more of a classic inside guy. Run him between the tackles and grind defenders down with his strength and contact balance. That doesn’t mean he can’t be successful in this offense. David Montgomery is more than talented enough to adjust. His work ethic is ridiculous. Still, it feels like the margin for error is slim with him. If he gets off to a slow start in 2022, the Bears may shift to Khalil Herbert, who is a more natural fit in the scheme.
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Paying running backs big money isn’t a favored strategy these days. Montgomery needs a big year to buck that trend.
Maybe I’m a poor evaluator, but I always felt Monty was not a good between the tackles runner (maybe it was the blocking?) and doesn’t really have the speed for outside running. I like him for his grit, but question his yards per touch.
I like Herbert, but he didn’t look gr8 against the Chiefs. No running lanes and a few drops too. Ebmer of course looked very good. Let’s not be too hasty here.
DM is a valuable player and leader. If he is playing well in the new offense, then Poles needs to extend him by mid-year. If he doesn’t the goodwill that has been built up will start to wane.
I loved Jordan Howard too but when it became obvious he wasn’t a scheme fit he got shipped out. Monty is in a contract year and will play well. But, his value to this team going forward is limited. Fantastic guy you would love to keep on your team and in your locker room but he’s probably not part of the future here. He may love Miami or Tennessee though.
Hard to evaluate D Montgomerys’ potential and need at position in the outside zone offense, but, should J Fields get injured and miss games, his need would be seriously increased and give backup QBs a much-needed every down back capable of grinding out tough yardage. Then again, give him running room and single defenders may not be able to stop him. I say see what he does in pre-season, if it appears he is going to remain the bell-cow RB, extend him, if not it might be time to see what a trade might bring.