It never felt this way from the outside, but apparently Bears GM Ryan Poles felt he was “really, really” close to re-signing running back David Montgomery before he left to sign with the Detroit Lions.
So, how did “really, really close” turn into Montgomery signing a three-year deal with Detroit? Poles explains, via the Bears’ official site:
“I would just kind of sum it up by saying players do have a choice,” Poles said. “I thought we communicated well. I thought we negotiated well. At the same time, you don’t always know what’s going on in the background, but I thought we did a good job, we were transparent, we were organized and it just, it didn’t happen. I felt like it was really, really close, though.”
“Really, really close” cuts it only in horseshoes and hand grenades. Otherwise, “close” isn’t good enough to get a deal done. And that seems to be the case when it comes to the Bears and Montgomery. Although, I can’t shake the feeling I have that it wasn’t ever that close. Because while there seemed to be “mutual interest” in a reunion, there was always an underlying vibe that Montgomery was always poised to hit free agency. The two sides were evidently far enough apart on a contract to where the negotiating parties couldn’t find a middle ground. Hence, the split.
Nevertheless, both the Bears and Monty are moving on with their football lives. Monty is off to Detroit where he joins a Lions team apparently on the upswing. This isn’t a sentence I saw myself writing at this time last year. Especially with what Monty meant as a rusher, pass blocker (and receiver), and team leader. Then again, we saw the Bears walk away from linebacker Roquan Smith, who was a standout performer and locker room leader on a tier above what Montgomery brought to the table. Meanwhile, Chicago countered Montgomery’s departure by signing D’Onta Foreman to fill the vacancy left behind. Foreman is a pro’s pro. And he should fit in swimmingly with Chicago’s other backs. Both parties might be better off with their decisions in the end.
Montgomery might do well in Detroit. Who doesn’t love a fresh start? Especially one where you can take it to your old employer twice a year. And Foreman might be better off in Chicago. Fittingly enough by taking Montgomery’s former gig as Khalil Herbert’s backfield tag team partner. Both sides could ultimately end up happy with what they have. But it doesn’t make it easier to watch a fan favorite go to a rival in the division.