David Montgomery

Why 2021 still matters for the Chicago Bears

by
david montgomery, bears

In another lost season, as the weather continues to get colder in the Windy City, the Chicago Bears have reached the point of the regular season that feels too familiar for fans, players, and coaches. With just four wins, the Bears are on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs, and head coach Matt Nagy is on his way out, an anticipated move that will likely come after the Bears wrap up the regular season on January ninth in Minnesota.

It’s hard to find a reason to be excited about the Bears. Most fans are merely tuning in to watch rookie quarterback Justin Fields, who’s missed two straight games due to a ribs injury. The rest of the roster includes a perfect blend of younger players and veterans, including names like Cole Kmet, Larry Borom, Teven Jenkins, Darnell Mooney, Jaylon Johnson, Roquan Smith, Khalil Herbert, and many more.

What happens over the final five weeks of the season will dictate how the Bears approach the 2022 offseason. Chicago winning at least four games over the next five weeks means the future is bright heading into 2022 but without a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Bears will once again be forced to rely on limited draft capital to continue adding to the roster.

The only question that remains is what the Bears will do with general manager Ryan Pace, who’s trending towards a fourth losing season in seven years. Should the Bears retain Pace as the organization’s top decision-maker for football operations, Pace will get an opportunity to hire a third head coach, one that could see a quick turnaround if Pace finds the right guy.

“I’m a fighter, I’m never going to stop fighting,” said Montgomery. “I’m never going to stop giving it everything I got.”

Montgomery’s fight is apparent, as is Smith’s. In a time where there isn’t much optimism surrounding the Bears, the amount of young talent that can lead to a quick turnaround in 2022 is prevalent for a team that’s struggled more than people have expected. A few early season breaks have led to some wins for the Bears and while there have been instances where the Bears lost winnable games, the remaining portion of 2021 provides the Bears with an opportunity to hit the reset button and see what adjustments need to be moving forward to maximize already existing talent on the roster.

Chicago Bears: The fight is apparent from RB David Montgomery

by
david montgomery, bears

After another gut-wrenching loss at home, the Chicago Bears have now lost six of the last seven games, and while running back David Montgomery has continued to be a bright spot for the offense, despite a frustrating season that’s included multiple blowouts.

Montgomery’s performance on Sunday afternoon shouldn’t be overlooked. Rushing 21 times for 90 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, and one touchdown, the third-year running back was also involved in the passing game, with eight receptions, 51 receiving yards, averaging 6.4 yards per reception.

The Bears didn’t get the job done in week 13 and Montgomery, who’s developed into a leader on offense knows that despite a losing record, the next five games still matter for a team that’s on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs.

“It’s frustrating, the entire season, it’s kind of been frustrating with the losses we’ve taken but I’m a fighter,” Montgomery said via the Bears official YouTube channel. “I’m never gonna stop fighting.”

The Bears know what they have in Montgomery. And Montgomery knows what he brings to the Bears offense week. As Chicago trends towards what is expected to be Montgomery’s first real losing season since entering the NFL back in 2019, the Bears need to recognize something: Montgomery is unique and his ability to be a leader even in the toughest of times and support anyone is a valuable asset.

“What you realized is what you learned, stepping into a leadership role or stepping at a point where when people watch you, the things that you do happen to carry a lot of weight, so it becomes infectious,” Montgomery said.

As the Bears prepare for a road matchup against the Green Bay Packers on primetime television, the Bears need to be positive heading into week 14, which is why leaders like Montgomery are essential. While a win against the Packers won’t change the trajectory of the season, it would still be the Bears’ first win against Green Bay since 2018 and first win at Lambeau Field since 2015.

Chicago Bears win big, QB Justin Fields shines

by
justin field, bears

It was another win for the Chicago Bears against the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon as the Bears improved to 2-0 at home this season. Chicago closed out the first half with a 14-0 lead but the Bears offense set the tone by marching down the field on the game’s opening possession, capping off a 12-play, 75-yard drive with a rushing touchdown by running back David Montgomery.

From there, the Bears’ defense did its part, forcing turnovers, sacking Lions quarterback Jared Goff, while stopping Detroit’s offense three times inside the Bears’ 10-yard line, followed by forcing three consecutive punts. Chicago defense got after Goff, totaling four sacks, courtesy of Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, Trevis Gipson, and Roquan Smith.

The real story of the afternoon was Chicago’s playcalling, which saw the Bears’ offense move the ball efficiently through the air and on the ground. Montgomery rushed 23 times for 106 yards, adding two rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Veteran Damien Williams joined the fun by averaging 6.9 yards per carry, rushing eight times for 55 yards, scoring the Bears’ third rushing touchdown of the afternoon.

Fields and second-year wide receiver Darnell Mooney established a rhythm early. Dubbed the future of Chicago, the two connected three times on the Bears opening possession, with Mooney finishing the game with five receptions for 125 yards, averaging 25 yards per reception. Wide receiver Allen Robinson, who wasn’t targeted until 2:05 remaining in the first half had three receptions for 63 yards, averaging 21 yards per reception.

Chicago played complementary football all afternoon, with the offense and defense feeding off each other to play a solid game, allowing for the Bears to get back to .500. While Bears head coach Matt Nagy refused to disclose who the playcaller was on Sunday afternoon, the Bears gameplan was clearly catered to Fields, who tested the Lions’ secondary with deep throws throughout the game.

What’s next for the Bears? A road game against the Las Vegas Raiders, who have looked better than most expected to start the 2021 season, with the likelihood that Fields makes his third consecutive start.

 

Assessing the Chicago Bears offense in week two

by

Sunday afternoon proved to be fruitful for Chicago Bears fans. Not only did the Bears come away with a victory but Chicago also got an extended look at rookie quarterback Justin Fields for the first time in the regular season with veteran Andy Dalton leaving the game due to a knee injury.

Fields playing a majority of the game doesn’t mean he’ll be the starter moving forward but the Bears coaching staff now has to make a decision to make: Should the Bears continue to roll with Dalton if healthy or start Fields and bring the future to the present? The final call with be made by head coach Matt Nagy but Fields performance on Sunday while leading the offense could be enough to name the 11th overall pick the starter.

Chicago’s offense showed plenty of positives on Sunday, including the ability to consistently move the ball through the air with a vertical passing game but for every positive, there seemed to be a negative. Wide receivers Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney each dropped two touchdown passes that would’ve iced the game by at least two possessions.

Fields’ mobility was apparent throughout the afternoon, as the rookie rushed 10 times for 31 yards, including a 10-yard rush with 2:55 remaining in the fourth quarter to set the Bears up with a first-down to end the game. Chicago did run some RPO looks, ensuring that Cincinnati’s defense would need to account for running back David Montgomery on every play. Montgomery, who rushed 20 times for 61 yards had three receptions for 18 yards, impacting Chicago’s passing attack during a busy afternoon for the third-year running back.

Overall, Chicago’s offense put together a solid enough performance to warrant being able to compete with any opponent. The Bears may not be explosive as Nagy wants to be just yet, something that will come with time but week 2 was encouraging for both the present and future.

 

David Montgomery not concerned about Chicago Bears OL

by

One defining storyline for the Chicago Bears throughout training camp has been the state of the offensive line. An overhauled unit, the Bears projected starting five has yet to practice together, with tackles Germain Ifedi and Teven Jenkins being held out of practice due to injuries. With Chicago featuring a new offensive line combination nearly everyday in practice, many wonder if this constant reshuffling will impact how the Bears offense performs in the regular season.

One aspect of the Bears offense that many felt underperformed due to a bad offensive line last season was the Bears running game. Heading into 2021, running back has been labeled by many as being the best positional group on the roster. Workhorse running back David Montgomery is complemented by pieces such as Damien Williams, Khalil Herbert, and Ryan Nall, giving Chicago versatility.

“You never want anybody to be out there hurt but as far as with me, I just go out there, whatever opportunity to do whatever I can, when I get the opportunity to,” said Montgomery via the Bears official YouTube Channel. “So I’m just hoping that the guys that are battling injuries, they can get back on top of it so they can get back to themselves.”

Montgomery has established that he’s a never-say-die attitude running back who will continue to fight for every yard, despite how the offensive line in front of him is performing.

“Whatever’s in front of me, we’re going to rock out with,” said Montgomery regarding his mentality about the Bears’ offensive line.

Entering year three, a way to increase production for Montgomery will simply include making the former Iowa State standout a major part of the offense. That means being able to use his dual-threat skillset as both a running back and a receiver in order to allow for the Bears to take another step forward on offense.

The Bears’ first test with the offensive line will come on Saturday at home against the Miami Dolphins where we’ll have an opportunity to see both starters and backups in an actual NFL game, providing an opportunity to evaluate where the entire unit is really at.

31 questions to Bears camp: How good can the RB position be?

by

When the Chicago Bears report to Halas Hall for training camp, running back will be an important position to keep an eye on. Workhorse David Montgomery will lead the way, while fifth-year veteran Tarik Cohen returns from a torn ACL sustained in 2020. Damien Williams will provide some quality veteran depth, especially after having played in an offensive system similar to the Bears while with the Kansas City Chiefs for two seasons in 2018 and 2019. Khalil Hebert, Artavis Pierce, Ryan Nall, and C.J. Marable will provide depth, making running back one of the deepest positions on the roster.

How good Chicago’s running backs can be will hinge on how quickly the offensive line gels, potentially setting the stage to be one of the NFL’s best running back rooms this year. Montgomery returns fully healthy, looking to take another step forward, realizing his true potential as a dual-threat running back.

“It wasn’t enough for me last year, knowing my untapped potential that I have within myself,” Montgomery said via the Bears official Youtube page. “Just being more vocal, being able to stand what I say and allow my words to carry a lot of strength when I speak. Doing all things right at all times.”

Halfway through the 2020 season, Chicago’s offensive philosophy changed, becoming a pass-first offense over a seven-week span. The Bears failed to rush for 100 or more yards in this same time span, before making a switch at quarterback, which allowed the running game to flourish.

“Biggest thing for me that clicked, just the mentality for everybody,” Montgomery said. “We all just trusted in each other. We believed that something was going to work. It’s embracing the role that is meant for me, whatever that may be. I think I could have done better for my guys around me.”

Montgomery will lead the way but the Bears will have plenty of contributions from Cohen and Williams, two players who provide additional value in the passing game, allowing head coach Matt Nagy to get creative with matchups.

“Being that I’ve been in this offense, I could give out pointers here and there but these guys, they’re great, they know what they’re doing,” Williams said via the Bears official YouTube page. “So all I can do is give my vet, my little things here and there of what I’ve been through and what I’ve seen. I’m just trying to get in here like the rookie kid and fit in.”

As Chicago continues to prepare for the 2021 season, running back is a positional group where the potential is unlimited, generating plenty of excitement.

Chicago Bears: Biggest questions at the RB position

by

The Chicago Bears will begin training camp at Halas Hall in just over two weeks and one position that can be labeled as the best on the team is running back. Featuring workhorse running back David Montgomery and complementary pieces in Tarik Cohen and Damien Williams. Depth also exists with players like Artavis Pierce, Ryan Nall, C.J. Marable, and Khalil Herbert, giving the Bears multiple players with a dual-threat skillset.

As Chicago continues to prepare for the 2021 NFL season, let’s get into three questions regarding the running back position.

1) How good can Montgomery be in 2021?

“It wasn’t enough for me last year, knowing my untapped potential that I have within myself,” Montgomery said via the Bears official Youtube page. “Just being more vocal, being able to stand what I say and allow my words to carry a lot of strength when I speak. Doing all things right at all times.”

As Montgomery enters year three, Chicago’s revamped offensive line should allow for him to see an increase in production with 2000 yards from scrimmage being a reasonable expectation. Montgomery clearly has high expectations of himself, looking to become one of the NFL’s best running backs, joining names like Christian McCaffery, Saquon Barkley, and Alvin Kamara.

If Montgomery takes the next step forward, he’ll be eligible for a contract extension next offseason but to have a breakout season, Chicago also needs to continue feeding Montgomery and using his dual-threat skillset to the fullest advantage.

2) How much do Cohen and Williams open up the offense?

Chicago added Williams this offseason and with Cohen returning, the Bears will be able to run multiple plays featuring two-back sets. Both players have shown the ability to be dual-threat playmakers, impacting Chicago’s running and passing attack.

Cohen and Williams will also allow Nagy to get creative in terms of playcalling, while providing quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Justin Fields with mismatches against linebackers, freeing up wide receivers Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney for additional deep throws.

3) Is Khalil Herbert being slept on?

Chicago drafted Herbert with the 217th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. During his lone season at Virginia Tech, Herbert averaged nearly 27 yards per return, showcasing the ability to be an electric player on special teams.

“They really want me to come in here and learn as much as I can,” Herbert said via the Bears official Youtube page. “Establish a role on special teams, they’re really big on that. Getting in my playbook, learning as much as I can to help contribute to the team in some way or form”.

Herbert should carve out a role on special teams, giving the Bears a long-term option as a returner but he should be given opportunities to impact Chicago’s running and passing game throughout his rookie season.

Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery is set for a big year three

by

As Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery enters year three, expectations are that Montgomery will finally take a major step forward, even after rushing for 1070 yards in 2020. The former third-round pick’s sophomore season was just scratching the surface of what Montgomery could develop into when Chicago traded up 14 spots in the 2019 NFL Draft to acquire Montgomery.

“It wasn’t enough for me last year, knowing my untapped potential that I have within myself,” Montgomery said via the Bears official Youtube page. “Just being more vocal, being able to stand what I say and allow my words to carry a lot of strength when I speak. Doing all things right at all times.”

Leadership is certainly one quality that Montgomery will need to possess, especially as the Bears continue to overhaul the offense. With Montgomery being the workhorse running back that Chicago expects him to be heading into 2021, his goal will be leading the entire running back room, alongside veteran Tarik Cohen, after reviving the running game during the second half of the 2020 season.

“Biggest thing for me that clicked, just the mentality for everybody,” Montgomery said. “We all just trusted in each other. We believed that something was going to work. It’s embracing the role that is meant for me, whatever that may be. I think I could have done better for my guys around me.”

Leading the running back room is just one area where Montgomery can have an impact in 2021. Last season, he also showed that he could impact Chicago’s passing game, with 54 receptions on just 68 targets, averaging 8.1 yards per reception, accounting for 25 of Chicago’s first downs.

Through his first two seasons, Montgomery has shown that he can be more productive, however, Chicago’s porous offensive line impacted how good of a piece Montgomery could legitimately for the Bears offense. As he heads into year three, it’s clear that Montgomery has his sights under being one of the top running backs in the NFL.

Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery will have career year in 2021

by

Running back is the one positional group on the Chicago Bears offense that has remained relatively stable throughout franchise history. Any Bears fan will tell names like Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, Matt Forte, and Thomas Jones. The list goes on and on for the Monsters of the Midway.

General manager Ryan Pace has been successful when it comes to addressing the running back position, finding gems like Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, and most recently David Montgomery. As Montgomery enters his third season, he’s lived up to expectations. During his freshman and sophomore campaign, the former Iowa State product totaled 2582 yards from scrimmage, impacting Chicago’s rushing and ariel attack.

Entering year three, Montgomery appears to be set up for a career year. Throughout 2019 and 2020, Montgomery’s production took a hit due to porous quarterback and offensive line play. As a hard runner who imposes his will, few opportunities existed for Montgomery to truly show the impact he could make.

With the Bears overhauling the offensive line, drafting guys like Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom, the goal is for Chicago’s offensive line to play with a mean streak, something that will positively impact the Bears’ offense.

Don’t be mistaken. This isn’t to say that Montgomery has underperformed by any means. He just hasn’t gotten the opportunity to truly showcase how dominant he can be, especially in an offense where a dual-threat running back is valued.

Head coach Matt Nagy knows how valuable Montgomery is to the Bears’ offense. During the 2019 NFL Draft, Chicago traded up 14 spots in round three to grab Montgomery, labeling him an ideal fit in Chicago’s offense. As the Bears continue to prepare for the 2021 season, Montgomery has shown he can be an offensive cornerstone for the Bears but if Montgomery’s 2020 season is any indication, it’s that the third-year running back appears to be set up for success that Chicago first hoped for when drafting Montgomery in 2019.