Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery is a culture guy. He's the embodiment of the kind of player rebuilding teams want in the locker room, from his running style on the field to the relationships he's built off of it.
Unfortunately for the Bears, Montgomery's contract is expired. He'll become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year. With running back viewed as an easily replaceable position and several Bears' needs ranking higher, it's unclear whether general manager Ryan Poles will make a run at bringing Montgomery back.
"I've always wanted to keep David," Poles said Tuesday. "I love his mentality and how he plays the game. He was part of the identity this year that kept us competitive."
Affection for the player is only part of the equation. Poles has to make a second David Montgomery contract fit the short- and long-term goals in his rebuilding efforts.
"The second part of that is just the contract situation," Poles said. "That’s something that we’ll see how that goes and if we can find common ground. Obviously, I’ve learned that you can want a player and the value’s got to come together for it to happen. I love the way he attacked this season. That’s a guy that does everything right. You all watched his tenacity, his fight. I’m a big David Montgomery fan."
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY SportsDavid Montgomery joins talented free-agent RB class
Montgomery is part of a loaded free-agent running back class headlined by New York Giants star Saquon Barkley. The NFL's leading rusher, Las Vegas' Josh Jacobs, could hit the open market, too. Philadelphia Eagles starter Miles Sanders will appeal to teams searching for an explosive playmaker, as will Dallas Cowboy's breakout star, Tony Pollard.
Where Montgomery ranks in that pecking order remains to be seen. Perhaps, his quest for a big contract is blocked by the talent also jockeying for a payday. And if that happens, the dollars may make sense for the Chicago Bears.
We know this: Ryan Poles is a huge fan of David Montgomery. If there's any way to make a contract work, Poles will get it done.
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