Proposed Montgomery Role
Based on everything we’ve seen so far; we can say this about David Montgomery’s NFL profile:
- He is a bad runner overall but is adequate in short-yardage situations.
- He offers real value in the passing game as a solid blocker and really good pass catcher.
That has a place on an NFL roster, but it should not be as an every down back who gets 200+ carries a year, which has been his role for the last 4 seasons. A ratio of 201 carries to 41 pass targets, like Montgomery saw in 2022, makes him a net negative for the offense, but he could be valuable if used correctly. The Bears last year insisted on using all of their running backs in an every-down situation, rotating them on a per-drive basis. The lead back (Montgomery if healthy) would play every snap for 2 drives, and then the backup would play every snap for 1 drive. This doesn’t play to either Montgomery or Herbert’s strengths, as it forces both to play in situations where they are not effective.
If the Bears insist on using both of their main backs on a per-drive basis, then they need to find a better runner than Montgomery to be their lead back. If, however, the Bears decide that they want to bring Montgomery back, they will need to reconfigure how they use their running backs. They can rotate them situationally, such that Herbert is naturally on the field in more run-heavy situations and Montgomery is naturally on the field in more pass-heavy situations, and thus use both their strengths better.
Take, for instance, this very basic situational split:
- Khalil Herbert could play in more neutral situations that will favor the run:
- 1st and 2nd down for the 1st 3 quarters, except the last 2 minutes of the 1st half.
- When the Bears have a lead in the 4th quarter and are trying to run out the clock.
- David Montgomery could play in situations that favor the passing game and short yardage runs:
- 3rd and 4th down for the 1st 3 quarters.
- The last 2 minutes of the 1st half.
- When the Bears are trailing in the 4th quarter.