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5 bold predictions for Bears in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy talks with Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) during a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears on September 30, 2018, at the Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy talks with Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) during a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears on September 30, 2018, at the Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LAKE FOREST, IL – MAY 05: Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) warms up during the Chicago Bears Rookie Mini-Camp on May 5, 2019 at Halas Hall, in Lake Forest, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAKE FOREST, IL – MAY 05: Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) warms up during the Chicago Bears Rookie Mini-Camp on May 5, 2019 at Halas Hall, in Lake Forest, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. David Montgomery will lead rookies in rushing

Jordan Howard was never a great fit for what Nagy wants in a running back, and that’s why he was shipped to the Eagles in the offseason. As a third-round pick, David Montgomery will be the guy who’s expected to pick up a lot of Howard’s slack this year.

Most people around the NFL expect for Josh Jacobs to be the rookie who leads this class in rushing, but the Raiders’ offense isn’t nearly as explosive as what the Bears have to work with. Montgomery might not be the unquestioned starter in Chicago this season, but he’s still going to grind out a ton of yards.

The big question is just how much work Montgomery can steal away from Tarik Cohen. As talented as Cohen is, he’s not the sort of bell cow back who is going to tote the ball 200-plus times this season. When tough yards are needed, Montgomery is going to get the football.

He won’t get nearly as many catches as Cohen does in the flow of Nagy’s offense, but Montgomery does have a legitimate chance to earn over 150 carries. If he gets that much work, look for him to end up around 800 yards rushing. That should be enough to make him this season’s most productive rookie running back.

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