Chicago Bears: 4 free agents to help replace David Montgomery

Just hours from now, we will start to hear about certain NFL free agents reaching verbal agreements with new teams. One player Chicago Bears fans have their eyes on is running back David Montgomery.

As of Sunday morning, it was reported that Montgomery is likely to test free agency. However, the Bears would like to bring him back.

If, for some reason, the two sides cannot come to an agreement and Montgomery leaves Chicago, the Bears do have plenty of options in free agency.

Let’s explore five key veterans who could fit in Chicago, should Montgomery head out.

Running backs to replace Chicago Bears free agent David Montgomery: Rashaad Penny

After being a first-round pick back in 2018, Rashaad Penny has not had the start to his career he would have liked. Injuries have plagued him, and after the Seattle Seahawks drafted Kenneth Walker last year, the writing was on the wall. Seattle would be moving on.

Penny did show some flashes, though, in between getting banged up. If he were to join Khalil Herbert in Chicago and be used in a multi-back system, he could flourish while staying fresh.

The key, here, would be whether or not Penny could stay healthy.

His best season came in 2021 when he rushed 119 times for 749 yards and six scores, averaging 6.3 yards per tote. The Bears would get him on the cheap, so that is a plus. Signing Penny would still mean Chicago could go after a late-round running back as insurance, too.