5 breakout stars to watch for Chicago Bears in 2020
2. RB David Montgomery
Montgomery had a solid rookie season in 2019, with 889 rushing yards on 242 carries (3.7 yards per tote) and 25 receptions for 185 yards with seven total touchdowns. A struggling offensive line was a factor in his subpar yards per carry average, but he was also criminally underused at times as he had 20 or more carries just four times in 16 games (twice in the final four games though).
Tarik Cohen finished second on the team with 104 targets last year, and he’s not going away as a factor in the Bears’ passing game. But Montgomery outdid in him yards per catch (7.4 vs. 5.8) and yards per target (5.3 vs. 4.4) by solid margins, along with one less fumble in nearly 125 more touches (267 to 143).
If only to limit the exposure of whoever is under center, the Bears would do well to run the ball more in 2020. Montgomery would be the primary beneficiary of that approach.
Bears GM Ryan Pace believes David Montgomery can be the team’s featured running back and carry a heavier load, if the Bears opt to run more in 2020.
— Jeff Dickerson (@DickersonESPN) February 25, 2020
Montgomery should easily make a push toward 290-300 touches this year. The idea of a more functional offense, with an offensive line that has better continuity/performs better and a quarterback that keeps things on the rails, puts 1,000 yards on the ground and 1,500 yards from scrimmage in play for the second-year back out of Iowa State.