(670 The Score) Ever since running back David Montgomery arrived to the Bears as a third-round pick in 2019, he has had the unwavering support of head coach Matt Nagy.
It was Nagy who called Montgomery "the whole package" after the Bears drafted him at No. 73 overall and who referenced the "special DNA" in him after his first preseason game. Nagy then stood by Montgomery after his unfulfilling first season in the NFL, feeling he and the Bears could help put Montgomery in a better position to succeed.
"I love the kid to death," Nagy said late in the 2019 season. "I think he has a really bright future."
Montgomery, 23, is now enjoying the breakthrough that Nagy envisioned for him.
Entering Chicago's pivotal regular-season finale against Green Bay on Sunday, Montgomery ranks fifth in the NFL with 1,001 rushing yards -- trailing only the Titans' Derrick Henry, the Vikings' Dalvin Cook, the Jaguars' James Robinson and the Packers' Aaron Jones.
Montgomery has produced at a higher level as the season has gone on. He rushed 131 times for 472 yards and a touchdown in his first nine games. He has 94 carries for 529 yards and six touchdowns in his five games since (Montgomery missed the Bears' loss to the Vikings on Nov. 16 with a concussion).
A big difference over the past five games has been the Bears' reshuffled offensive line, which has played at a higher level than the line he rushed behind in his first 25 NFL games.
“The guys up front are doing a hell of a job," Montgomery said Sunday after surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season. "They have been doing a hell of a job for a long time, and I appreciate those guys. Me being able to get in a rhythm is not up to me. It’s up to those guys up front, and they always do that for me."
It wasn't clear what Montgomery could be as an NFL running back in 2019, when he averaged just 3.7 yards per rushing attempt and 55.6 rushing yards per game. Montgomery averaged only two yards before contact as a rookie, as he was often swallowed up at the first level. Despite his stated belief in Montgomery, Nagy also didn't consistently commit to the running game. Montgomery had 20 or more carries in only four of the Bears' 16 games last season.
Montgomery is now be counted on to carry a considerable workload for the Bears' offense, and he has a better chance to find success when handed the football. He's averaging 4.4 yards per carry and 71.5 rushing yards per game this season.
“David has been the same guy since Day 1," receiver Allen Robinson said. "He’s a guy who brings it every day, high energy. Every day he practices hard and things like that.
"When you continue to find consistency with yourself, that’s when you continue to start stacking games together. And he’s doing that right now, and he’s it at a very high level.”
The Bears selected Montgomery after trading running back Jordan Howard to the Eagles in March 2019. The swap stemmed from Nagy's belief that he needed a better fit for the offense. Though Chicago had no picks in the first or second rounds in 2019 and there were other desirable players on the draft board, Montgomery was an attractive choice. Fearing they would miss out, the Bears traded up in the third round to draft Montgomery.
After the Bears' running game struggled in 2019, they didn't seek another starting running back or even create a tandem for Montgomery. Nagy and the Bears believed he would run with an opportunity if they offered it to him.
Montgomery has done that and seems set for the bright future Nagy and the Bears imagined for him.
"The sky's the limit for him," Nagy said. "He's just so focused on being a great teammate that I think it's going to naturally happen."
Returning soon?
The Bears have officially designated veteran tackle Bobby Massie (knee) for a return from injured reserve. He has not played since the game Nov. 1 against the Saints.
A return for Sunday's regular-season finale seems unlikely, but perhaps Massie could rejoin the Bears if they have a wild-card game.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.