David Montgomery felt the Chicago Bears were “sucking the fun” out of football. So, when the opportunity came to join a team that valued competitiveness, he made the jump to the Detroit Lions, leaving behind an organization he felt wasn’t aligned with his drive to win. His new home in Detroit has allowed him to thrive alongside rookie standout Jahmyr Gibbs, helping the Lions become one of the league’s top rushing teams.
Montgomery’s decision seems validated not only by his performance but also by the Lions’ faith in him. Recently, he scored a 2-year, $18.25 million contract extension, adding $10.5 million in new guaranteed money. This extension has his former Bears teammate Tarik Cohen openly laughing at the Bears’ management, hinting that GM Ryan Poles’ decision to let Montgomery walk was, in his words, “stupid AF.”
In his four games this season, Montgomery already has 63 carries and has scored a touchdown in each game, leading Detroit to a solid 3-1 start. Reflecting on his time with the Bears, Montgomery made it clear he left because of a missing competitive edge. “I’m a competitor. I like to compete. That’s what football’s about,” he said last year. It seems the frustration of the Bears’ 25-42 record during his time there pushed him to seek out a team with real playoff potential.
Ryan Poles, however, insists the Bears did their part, negotiating fairly and transparently. But for Montgomery, no amount of corporate transparency could replace the on-field grit he was looking for. Now, as the Lions climb the ranks, Montgomery’s departure might highlight a deeper question for the Bears—have they lost the competitive edge needed to keep their top talent?
