David Montgomery might be 5’10, but he carries himself like his 7’0. The Chicago Bears running back fulfilled much of his potential in 2020. Despite suspect offensive line play, he still managed to crack 1,000 yards rushing for the season. He finished with 1,508 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. A quality year in every respect. One he still hasn’t gotten enough credit for.
Here’s the thing. Montgomery isn’t one to shrug that off. He is a player who has unshakable self-confidence. The running back demands greatness of himself and his work ethic proves as much. One way great players elevate themselves? Finding motivation from any sources they can. It appears he didn’t have to look hard. Montgomery informed Bears head coach Matt Nagy that CBS ranked him as the 25th best running back in the NFL.
Something he did not take well.
That would explain why he practically begged Nagy to allow the team to practice in pads during mandatory minicamps. This despite it being expressly against NFL rules. Montgomery wants to run the ball. Ever the motivator, Nagy found creative ways to prod the running back further, claiming he might not be athletic enough. All he had to say in return? The rest of the league better get ready.
Everything about this offseason suggests Montgomery is poised for the best season of his career. Reports are his extensive work with a renowned speed trainer has helped him get faster. He’s healthy, fresh, and fully engrossed in the Bears’ system. Best of all? The offensive line is leaning further towards his strengths. They’ve made a commitment this offseason to adding more power and nastiness in their blocking. That should mean more lanes to run through.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
David Montgomery is still at the mercy of Nagy though
While the Bears wisely leaned on him a lot last year, there are indications the team might be planning to take some touches away from him. Not only is Tarik Cohen returning from his ACL injury. Former Super Bowl standout Damien Williams and 6th round pick Khalil Herbert have joined the mix as well. Nagy has a track record of liking to spread carries around in a backfield-by-committee approach.
He even did this when he didn’t really have the necessary depth to do so. Now he does. At least on paper. That might not sit well with David Montgomery. While he is a leader and team player, he’s also on a mission. He wants to be great. To be one of the best. He can’t do that if the team doesn’t feed him the football. One can imagine he’ll be in Nagy’s ear a lot this season.
Fantasy owners certainly hope so.
Montgomery could end up being quite a bargain for people who find him in their drafts in later rounds. As to what the Bears offense will be this year? That depends on who is playing quarterback. If Andy Dalton remains the projected starter, then a steady running game with lots of play action figures to be the approach. That would suit the third-year back just fine.