Chicago Bears 2023 Free Agency Profile: RB David Montgomery

One of the offseason’s biggest questions for the Chicago Bears is whether or not the team will decide to re-sign running back David Montgomery.

Originally a third-round pick back in the 2019 NFL Draft, Montgomery quickly became a fan favorite and now enters free agency for the first time as a pro.

Montgomery, who will turn 26 in June, is set for a decent contract this spring. He’s right in the thick of his prime and, according to your typical NFL running back, should have a couple more serviceable years left in him.

To this point, the Bears have been able to do a lot in terms of running the football as a team, but Montgomery is an integral part of their three-headed monster. Along with Justin Fields and Khalil Herbert, Montgomery has proven a big part of this offense.

Should the Chicago Bears re-sign running back David Montgomery?

In four seasons, Montgomery has totaled 4,849 yards from scrimmage (3,609 rushing and 1,240 receiving) and 30 touchdowns. He’s been the guy every Bears fan can honestly say has never quit. No matter what down, what distance and what the score says, Montgomery is the one guy who continues to put his head down and move those feet.

It’s his work ethic and overall humble demeanor that has made him so likable since coming to Chicago out of Iowa State. The Bears’ back field would be tough to imagine without him, but at the same time, fans said the same thing about Jordan Howard at one point.

The fact of the matter is, running backs are replaceable. It’s the sad reality of today’s NFL. A perfect example of this is seeing 2022 seventh-round rookie Isiah Pacheco take over the starting job for former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Kansas City.

Edwards-Helaire was healthy for the Super Bowl, but did not play. Instead, it was Pacheco’s job, and he played well.

Montgomery’s market value sits right around $7.2 million, according to Spotrac. At that number, the Bears might be pushing it, and that’s not to say Montgomery isn’t worthy of that amount of money.

Quite frankly, Herbert proved he could handle the load. Fields will continue to be a threat on the ground. The Bears could just as well spend that money on a starting lineman, on either side of the ball, and replace Montgomery with a later-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

If he were to be open to a discount in order to stay in Chicago, then Montgomery would be well-worth keeping around. But, at his projected market value, the Bears might not get a deal done.