Bears running back David Montgomery is only entering his second season in the NFL, but he's already facing pressure to perform like the centerpiece of Chicago's running game in 2020. After a rookie season that totaled just 889 rushing yards and six touchdowns, questions remain whether he has the ability to be 'that guy.'
Montgomery's up-and-down rookie season was like any first-year player's. He had to acclimate to a new offense, new teammates, and the speed of the NFL game. At times, he looked the part of a top-tier running back like when he ran the ball 27 times for 135 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers in Week 7.
In order to sustain a full season of high level production, Montgomery focused on transforming his body during the offseason. According to Dr. Michael Risher, who runs the Rehab Lab in Chicago, Montgomery's offseason efforts worked.
Montgomery maintained his weight but did so with muscle instead of fat. It's a testament to how hard he's been working in what may have been the most challenging offseason in NFL history. He should be a stronger and more explosive player this year.
The Bears' running back room will be led by Montgomery and Tarik Cohen, and wide receiver Cordarralle Patterson is expected to spend more time in the backfield in 2020 than he did last year. Chicago failed to add any real depth at the position during the offseason, which means Patterson is likely to be counted on more as a runner than receiver this fall.
Still, if Montgomery fails to take the next step in his development this season, Chicago's rushing attack will crumble at its foundation. There simply isn't another player on the roster who's capable of handling a starting running back's workload. It's Montgomery or bust.
"I'm going to be better this year for this team and this organization," Montgomery said in June. "I'm going to come as prepared as ever to lead that running back room the way I need to."
David Montgomery put in work this offseason to lead Bears rushing attack in 2020 originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
