David Montgomery Is Already Giving the Bears Defense Fits

The Chicago Bears caught a lot of flak from critics when they made the decision to trade Jordan Howard. It didn't make sense in their minds. Here is a 24-year old running back in his physical prime who has averaged over 1,000 yards rush through his first three seasons. Giving away a productive back like him for a late round pick doesn't make logical sense. That is unless David Montgomery proves to be what the team hopes.

The reason the Bears sent Howard packing had nothing to do with his personality or work ethic. It was a simple case of where they felt he didn't elevate the offense to where it could go. This primarily due to the fact that he isn't a natural pass catcher. He has always been more of a old school back who grinds defenses down with tough carry after tough carry.

Montgomery is a more modern back. He can make tough runs, but he's also a legitimate threat as a receiver out of the backfield. Somebody that head coach Matt Nagy can line up in different spots and trust him to run a good route like a receiver if need be. He creates matchups, and the NFL has evolved more than ever into a game of matchups.

By the look of things early in practice, Montgomery is living up to the hype.

David Montgomery is already giving the Bears defense problems

Adam Jahns of The Athletic and others were in attendance for the Bears' second veteran minicamp practice. By most accounts, Mitch Trubisky looked sharp in drills, as did rookie receiver Riley Ridley. However, it appears Montgomery was the one who stole the show with a series of big plays that left the starting defense befuddled at times.

"The Bears have rules that limit the details we can give you from these practices, particularly when it comes to routes and formations. But I can tell you Montgomery scored on a wide-open catch from quarterback Mitch Trubisky that cut straight through the Bears’ starting defense.

It was a play that came during team drills and one that resulted in members of the secondary looking at each other in an apparent search for answers as Montgomery beat everyone down the field.

On another play, Montgomery caught a short pass, made a move and quickly cut up the field. His teammates went nuts on the sideline as he sprinted past his would-be tacklers."

It's important to remember that it's still early in the process. These players are in shorts and no pads. So full aggression isn't on display. There's also the fact the defense has shifted to a new coordinator in Chuck Pagano. So occasional miscommunications would be likely. Even so, for Montgomery to make such a series of plays in the passing game is precisely the reason he was drafted.

If Nagy is getting such results now, imagine what happens when his full playbook is unleashed when the season begins.