2. Breakway Runs
For his career, 19% of the yardage that David Montgomery collects comes from breakaway runs. In one sense, this is good because it shows that Montgomery can grind out yards. In the other, we saw that he is not getting much after contact, and without this explosive addition to his game, he becomes far less of a threat than other backs.
Last season Montgomery was at 19.1. His career-high came in 2020 at 22.1%, and his rookie year was 15%, which was his worst rate. Last season he ranked 39th amongst qualified runners in breakaway run rate.
He is right near James Conner in this area, who is at 19.2%. Still, Jonathan Taylor is at 38.7%, Dalvin Cook is at 37.6%, and Nick Chubb is at 36.1%. Jonathan Taylor breaks a big run at double the rate of David Montgomery.
It is one thing for Montgomery to not be explosive, it is another for him to be well below average in this area. In three years Jordan Howard was at 36.9%, 32.4%, and 22.6% with the Chicago Bears. His career rate still sits at 29.5%. Even 25% would be closer to the average for David Montgomery.
The Chicago Bears need to see him increase this rate. It is great that he picks up yards, and you can blame the offense all that you want, but plenty of players can get big gains despite this issue, as shown by 38 backs being better last year.
Montgomery does not have that explosive gear and is not breaking tackles at an above-average rate. Those are two key factors that defenses fear. Those are two key factors that make Nick Chubb stand apart from others, and while Chubb is tops in these areas, Montgomery is below average.