Lions RB explains why playing for the Bears 'sucked the fun' out of football
When his contract with the Chicago Bears expired after last season, David Montgomery knew he needed a change of scenery.
The 25-year-old running back had spent four years in Chicago but never played for a winning team — a detail that he said influenced his decision to sign a three-year, $18 million contract with the Bears NFC North rival, the Detroit Lions.
"[Losing was] all I was used to," Montgomery said during a recent gaming livestream with teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson. "And it got to a point where it sucked the fun out of the game for me because I'm a competitor. I like to compete. That's what football's about. It's so refreshing to (now) be in a place where that's appreciated."
The Bears had a 25-41 record during Montgomery’s time with the team (2019-22), including 14 losses last season and 11 the year before. They made the playoffs just once, suffering a 21-9 defeat to the New Orleans Saints in 2020.
Now in Detroit, which returns a loaded offense and a revamped defense, Montgomery is playing for what many expect to be a legit playoff contender. The Lions are a sexy pick among media pundits to contend for a division title and possibly make a deep postseason run in 2023.
Chicago’s 3-14 record last season was the worst in the NFL, and the team ended the year on a 10-game losing streak. Conversely, the Lions posted a 9-8 record and the team’s first winning season since 2017, and they ended the year with just their second win over the Green Bay Packers in the last four seasons.
Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 touchdowns and added 155 receptions for 1,240 yards and four touchdowns with the Bears. In Detroit he’s joining the No. 4-ranked offense from a season ago and he’ll form a strong backfield tandem with 12th overall pick Jahmyr Gibbs.
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