Lions’ $18M Star Fires Back at Chicago After Breakout Season

The NFC North rivalry just gained a new layer of heat — and this time, it’s coming straight from a former Bear turned Lions hero.

After spending four seasons in Chicago, David Montgomery has finally found the platform to thrive — and he’s not shy about where the blame lies for his earlier struggles. Now the starting running back in Detroit and fresh off a 1,015-yard, 12-touchdown season, Montgomery is letting it all out.

His shot at the Bears was as personal as it was piercing. “In Chicago, they never knew how to use me. I was benched, overlooked, and blamed. But the Lions saw my value from Day 1 — and let me prove every snap why I belonged. That’s the difference between a team stuck in excuses and a team built to win.”

The numbers back him up. In 2024, Montgomery started 15 games and powered a resurgent Lions rushing attack that ranked top-10 in the league. While rookie Jahmyr Gibbs dazzled with versatility, it was Montgomery who took the tough carries and thrived in red-zone situations — racking up 12 touchdowns, a career high.

In Chicago, Montgomery was often caught in coaching limbo — shifting offensive coordinators, inconsistent usage, and a Bears offense that rarely found its rhythm. He averaged under 4.0 yards per carry in three of his four years, and never cracked double-digit touchdowns.

Since joining Detroit on a 3-year, $18 million deal in 2023, everything changed. Under Dan Campbell’s tough, smashmouth philosophy, Montgomery has become more than just a back — he’s a tone-setter. That identity helped Detroit clinch the NFC North and push deep into the playoffs.

The Lions have rewarded his breakout with a quiet but impactful contract extension through 2026, signaling they see Montgomery as a long-term fixture.

Meanwhile, Bears fans are left wondering what could’ve been. In Detroit, Montgomery is writing his redemption arc — and he’s doing it at Chicago’s expense.

And with two divisional matchups looming, you can bet this story is far from over.