Chicago Bears Countdown to Kickoff: 32 Days with David Montgomery

David Montgomery's final season with Chicago Bears and inter-division signing

Nonetheless, Montgomery had another solid outing in 2022 in a new offense that centered around quarterback Justin Fields in his first full season as the team's starter. With some struggles in the passing game, due perhaps to struggles in the offensive line, a lack of talent at the receiver position, and Fields' inexperience at the next level, the run game was the main focal point of the offense.

Montgomery was able to play in 16 games for the first time since his rookie season, but the emergence of Fields' rushing abilities as well as backup Khalil Herbert forced Montgomery to take only 201 rushing attempts on the season, his lowest to date. He finished his fourth season with over 1,100 total yards and six touchdowns. Unfortunately, this was the first season that the back did not lead the team in rushing, with Fields' 1,000-plus yard total serving as the team's best.

Over his first four years with the Chicago Bears, Montgomery had proven himself to be a quality and dependable running back who can affect the game in several ways. Statistically, the Iowa State product logged over 4,800 yards, about 3,600 of which were on the ground, and 30 total touchdowns. However, these numbers do not tell the full story, on or off the field.

Montgomery has been lauded as one of the league's tougher backs and would stick his nose into trouble as a blocker and would constantly make those around him better by serving as an easy outlet in the passing game or by fighting for extra yards, often despite getting hit at or around the line of scrimmage.

Nonetheless, the Bears' new regime ultimately did not re-sign the Bear for 2023 and beyond, despite earnest negotiation talks. Eventually, Montgomery elected to sign a four-year contract with the division rival Detroit Lions, who jettisoned both of their main rushers in Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift during the offseason. Since his signing, the Lions also used a first-round pick on Alabama product Jahmyr Gibbs, who will split carries and share the field with Montgomery.

It is hard to predict exactly how and where Montgomery will fit into a high-flying Lions' offense, but it makes a lot of sense for him to take over the physical, shortage-back role that Williams excelled in a year prior. Despite working with Gibbs in the backfield, it is very reasonable to expect Montgomery to lead the team in carries, especially if the Alabama rookie works more as a gadget-back who is frequently targeted in the passing game.